Qld’s top IGA steps in to help family after puppy dies in devastating home fire

A surprise development has brightened the lives of a southside family which lost everything it owns including a pet puppy in a devastating fire this week.

The family lost both cars in the blaze which broke out on Monday at the Tanah Merah address. Pictures: Contributed

Some positive news has come to a devastate southside family coming to grips with losing everything they owned including their pet puppy in a fire that gutted their home on Monday.

Brooke and Alex McCleland and their two young children Drew and Ellie have been staying with family and friends after their brick home in Tanah Merah, Logan, was reduced to rubble and cinders.

The family’s two cars along with passports, birth certificates, and car seats were all destroyed when the fire broke out just after 5.40am.

The children’s beloved puppy Luna, perished in the blaze and sadly, the family is also still missing a cat.

The family lost its beautiful pet puppy Luna in the blaze which gutted their home. Pictures: Contributed

However neighbours were able to find one of the family’s two missing cats on Wednesday.

The welcome turn of events continued when community groups came to the family’s aid with neighbours and charity organisations donating clothes and food.

The community and friends are raising funds to help the family to get back on track and rebuild their lives and the house they lost, which they had bought two years ago.

Loganlholme IGA along with family friend Melanie Clarke and Logan community advocate Nate Hamon have organised fundraising events for the family.

“We understand that donating might not be in everyone’s place right now although we wish to thank everyone for their support during this tragic time,” Ms Clarke said.

“Brooke is currently going through all of the gifted clothing and household items that they have received in the last few days.”

The young family lost its dog, all clothes, passports, documents, photos, and cars. Pictures: Contributed

IGA Loganholme which is on Ascot Dr, will host a free sausage sizzle fundraising event for the family on Saturday at lunchtime until 4pm.

Organiser and resident Shayne Western said the fire was a tragedy but the community would make sure the family would not suffer further.

”It is hard to imagine losing everything you own – especially when you have two little children to care for as well,” Mr Western said.

“Even though they may have insurance and other online help, this family needs clothes and food right now.

“The sausage sizzle is free to anyone but it would be great if people gave a cash donation – possibly a fiver or ten dollars to make sure they have school clothes and other necessities.”

Gutted: inside the family’s home in Tanah Merah. Pictures: Contributed

The Loganholme IGA owned by Darrell Dhnaram is well known within Logan communities for its charity work.

This month it was named Queensland’s best IGA Community Store in a prestigious award ceremony held in Bali.

So far, the IGA has donated the sausages, bread rolls and meat trays for the family fundraiser, which is also being supported by JK Barbecues and Outdoor Webber Store.

Originally published as Qld’s top IGA steps in to help family after puppy dies in devastating home fire