Bonnyrigg rallies behind family hurt by fatal house fire, raising $50k
After a Bonnyrigg family lost their father, dog and possessions in a house fire, the community has raised more than $50,000 to help them rebuild their lives.
Fairfield
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As the fire tore through the Vu’s family home on August 25, their Tibetan Spaniel, Leo, barked fervently to draw the attention of neighbours.
Tien Cyong Vu, 57, a stalwart of Bonnyrigg who continued to work at Cabramatta Woolworths, was still inside.
Mr Vu, husband to An and father to Anna and Andrew, was killed in the fire.
As was Leo and the majority of the Vu’s possessions.
“This week has been the most difficult experience of my life,” Andrew Vu said.
“Our family has lost my father … the man who I had looked up to in every aspect of my life.
“(He) was the most hardworking and selfless man that I knew, always putting our family first.”
Five firefighting crews – from Busby, Liverpool, Smithfield, Chester Hill and Bonnyrigg Heights – worked from 11am to 1.45pm to put the fire out.
The cause of the fire still remains the subject of an investigation, but a police spokesman told the Advance it is being treated as suspicious.
The Vu’s had lived at the Merinda Pl home for 19 years; it’s where they watched their children grow.
“The entire roof of the house is completely gone,” Mr Vu said. “There is a lot of structural damage, so everything will have to be rebuilt.”
The family is currently residing at a relative’s home in Cabramatta, while they grieve and “try to rebuild (their) lives”.
A colleague of Mr Vu set up a gofundme campaign to help raise funds for the family.
After five days, 804 donations were made, yielding a total of $50,662 – just shy of the $70,000 target.
The money has been earmarked for funeral expenses, new clothes, furniture and rebuilding costs.
“It has been touching to see so many strangers and friends … offering whatever help they can provide and seeing this community come together to assist us so selflessly,” Mr Vu said.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their generous donations and support during this difficult time in helping us rebuild our lives.”