Community rally behind Piggabeen couple who lost everything in devastating house fire

The couple is known for donating meals to the homeless, but now they have found themselves living in the very van they once used to help others in need.

Greg Webb and May Latham once used their van to help feed the homeless in the region, now it’s their home.

Their two-storey home in Piggabeen was destroyed by fire early Tuesday morning, started from a log.

More than 25 firefighters from NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire Rescue NSW were on scene at a house fire on Omiah Way, Piggabeen at 2.30am, battling the blaze for three hours.

Piggabeen resident and neighbour Leza Stewart said the community had rallied together, donating everything from blankets to shoes, food and fuel vouchers.

The shed was the only structure left standing.

“They lost everything – everything is gone,” Ms Stewart said.

She said the community had organised corresponding nights to provide the pair with meals and offered them rooms to stay for as long as they could.

It’s a response Ms Latham, a Filipino woman, has struggled to accept as someone who once was providing to those in need.

“She’s been cooking meals bring them down to the homeless in Tweed and Coolangatta,” Ms Stewart said.

“She’s very humble and finding it hard to accept all the help they’ve inundated with.”

It’s the second time Ms Latham has found herself without a home.

Before meeting Mr Webb, she had moved from New Zealand to be a carer for a cancer patient and when that patient passed away, the family kicked her out.

That was when she met Mr Webb, a surfboard maker, who had built the Piggabeen house in 1989.

A car destroyed in the tragic fire.

Ms Stewart said Ms Latham had lost all of her personal possessions including traditional Filipino jewellery.

“They’re still in shock, they don’t want to move too far away,” Ms Stewart said.

Along with other members of the Piggabeen and Cobaki community, Ms Stewart said they had organised cooking for the couple and donated what money they could.

There’s also plans to organise a fundraiser once Covid restrictions allow for it and a working bee to try and make part of the structure liveable.

“The community has been above and beyond,” Ms Stewart said.

“Any time there’s anything happen like this they pull together, they all find the time to help.”

She said they had been inundated with donations but welcomed people to get in touch if they wished to help out.

Smoke still coming from the fire.

“There’s still so much smoke, it’s still smouldering,” she said.

“You can’t fathom it.”

Anyone who wishes to donate or help the couple should contact Ms Stewart be email on [e-mail]

Donations can also be made to a Go Fund Me page here.