Community rallies behind Claudia Domrose’s Wheeler Heights family struck by fire and coronavirus

A family struck by the coronavirus crisis and a house fire have been overwhelmed by the generosity of others.

Claudia Domrose, of Wheeler Heights, with her children Zara, 11, and Finley, 6, who lost many of their possessions in a house fire. Picture: Supplied

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A single mum and her two small children have been hit with a devastating double blow — the coronavirus emergency and a house fire.

Popular northern beaches artist Claudia Domrose had to close her successful body art and face painting business last month due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

Claudia Domrose, and her children Zara, 11, and Finley, 6, who lost many of their possessions in a Wheeler Heights house fire. Picture: Supplied

Then last week the rental home she and her children, Zara, 11 and six-year-old Finley, lived in at Wheeler Heights, was partially destroyed by fire. They have had to move out.

The family not only lost many of their possessions in the early morning blaze, but most of the specialised brushes and paints Ms Domrose used in her business, Art Illusions. The materials were worth thousands of dollars.

The family has had to move after the early morning blaze. Picture: Supplied

Now the community is getting behind Ms Domrose — who uses the name ‘Tin Kerbell’ in her business — in a fundraising effort to collect $20,000 to help her get back on her financial feet.

Ms Domrose said they were woken by the noise of the fire that started in a garage attached to the home in a battle-axe block on Lantana Ave about 7.45am last Sunday.

Claudia Domrose lost her specialised body art brushes and paints stored in the garage. Picture: Supplied

The fire destroyed the garage and spread into the roof of the fibro home. The roof has to be removed and the bathroom and laundry replaced.

The family has been staying in a granny flat belonging to a neighbour.

“My whole life was in there,” Ms Domrose said. “I tried to salvage as much as I could, but it’s a struggle.

Claudia Domrose, is a well known body and face painter, who lost many of her brushes and paints in a house fire. Picture: Supplied

Claudia Domrose — Tin Kerbell — is hoping to restart her business after the COVID-19 emergency. Picture: Supplied

“The kid’s clothes all smell like chemicals, but I’m trying to stay upbeat for their sake.

“We would live to keep living in this area so the kids can keep going to the same school.”

Ms Domrose, who grew up in Germany, said she has been overwhelmed by the generosity of people since the fire.

They have offered the family places to stay and cooked meals for them.

“Australian people have such big hearts,” she said. “I can’t thank them enough.”

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Ms Domrose and her children.

To donate go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/house-fire-appeal-for-tin