Granite Belt family loses everything in devastating house fire
A heartbroken couple has revealed how their teenage son was forced to flee with his three-legged cat, after flames quickly engulfed the family home.
Stanthorpe
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A Granite Belt teenager was forced to flee with just his three-legged cat in his arms as the family home was engulfed in flames on Sunday night.
Homeowners Timo and Melanie Kent told the Border Post their son AJ was the only one home at the time of the fire and was the one who called triple-0.
Despite their despair at seeing their home reduced to ruins, the Kents said they were just thankful neither AJ nor anyone else was hurt or injured.
“The important thing is the house can be rebuilt, lives cannot be replaced,” Mrs Kent said.
When the couple returned to their Applethorpe home on Sunday evening it was fully alight, with emergency service crews everywhere.
“I was shaking and said, ‘Is nothing left?’,” Mrs Kent said.
Despite valiant attempts from fire crews working into the night, the family lost everything they owned.
“All we have left is a few photos from a photo album, which is lucky as the cover was severely burnt but the pictures were unharmed,” she said.
The couple was unable to see what else could be salvaged as emergency services warned there was potential for the roof to collapse.
“Only the front of the home with our roses remained untouched,” Mrs Kent said.
The couple has lived in the property for the past six years and were slowly renovating and making improved changes to the home.
Mr Kent said the fire was the latest in a string of disasters the couple had battled.
“First we had drought, and then bushfires coming towards the home and now this,” he said.
The family’s sheep, goats, pigs, cows, 10-week-old puppy and cat were unharmed.
The cat went missing during the fire, but Mr Kent said he found the animal sitting inside the house next to the burnt couch on Monday morning.
The family has struggled to find temporary accommodation with motels in the area fully booked and rentals in high demand.
“We have stayed with my daughter and our neighbours have offered to stay in their home,” Mr Kent said.
“But it’s been really hard.”
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, but the couple have been told the fire started at the back of the house.
A friend of the family set up a GoFundMe page to support the Kents.
To donate to the fund click here.