Raymond Terrace fire: Family loses home weeks before Christmas

A family's Christmas preparations turned to ash when a battery fire destroyed their Port Stephens home, leaving them with nothing but the clothes they escaped in.

27th November, 2025 a family lost their Raymond Terrace house and everything in it due to a fire from a mower battery on charge. A Go Fund Me has been set up for the family. Credit: Go Fund Me

A family's Christmas preparations turned to ash when a battery fire destroyed their Port Stephens home, leaving them with nothing but the clothes they escaped in.

In the early hours of the morning on November 27, Monique Tukana and her two children, Mya and Tyson were asleep when a fire started to take hold at their Raymond Terrace home.

Family have told this publication the youngest, Mya, who was asleep on the lounge was next to where the fire sparked and woke to find the room alight before alerting her mother and brother as the family ran to safety.

Fire crews from Raymond Terrace, Tarro and Morpeth rushed to the property on Benjamin Lee Dr just after 3am to find the home well alight, and took about half an hour to extinguish the blaze.

But it was too late as the devastated family watched their home they had lived in for three years go up in flames.

A Raymond Terrace family lost their house to fire on November 27th 2025 - Mum Monique (2nd from right) and her children - Tom (left who doesn't live at home), Mya and Tyson (right). A Go Fund Me has been set up to help the family. Supplied.

The remains after the fire. Credit: Go Fund Me

“Losing all personal items including photos and stuff from Monique’s parents that passed away,” brother-in-law Joshua Rowsell said.

“The fire ripped through the entire house and the only thing salvageable was some clothes in one of the cupboards.

“They had the Christmas tree set up but no presents underneath it.”

What was left of the kitchen. Credit: Go Fund Me

Luckily the Tukana’s were re-homed in a rental that same day but now bare the reality of having to start over again.

“It would be gut wrenching to have this happen,” Mr Rowsell said.

“My wife and Monique are like sisters so it was my wife’s idea to start the Go Fund Me.

“I feel so bad and wish there was more we could do.”

So far more than $14,000 of their $16,000 has been raised, as of Wednesday afternoon, with hope more people will give generously to a family who are thankful that no-one was injured but who have lost everything right before Christmas.

“I’m asking if you could donate anything at all to help them rebuild their life small or big anything will help,” the Go Fund Me said.

“Lets help rebuild together.”

Mr Rowsell confirmed the funds will go towards replacing all lost items and getting them back on their feet.

Originally published as Raymond Terrace fire: Family loses home weeks before Christmas