Brooke Stokes: Single mum loses everything in Shepparton fire
A single mother of six watched helplessly as her Shepparton home was burnt to the ground. “It’s all gone within what felt like seconds”.
Goulburn Valley
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Standing amidst the ashes of her Shepparton home, burnt to the ground in a blaze involving a gas heater explosion, a single mum has nothing left for her six children – except her love.
Because Brooke Stokes and eldest daughter got home from the nail salon just in time to see firefighters lose the battle to save their house.
Leaving the family of seven with only the clothes they were wearing and nothing else.
Children’s clothes, medicine, toys, nappies, photos, memories; it was all gone. Forever.
“We helplessly watched in tears ... all gone within what felt like seconds,” she said.
The fire at Jones Court, Shepparton on July 4 destroyed the family brick home in 10 minutes.
Ms Stokes said the cause of the fire was still being determined.
Ms Stokes said her daughter’s two birds died but miraculously the family’s two dogs and their turtle survived — despite its tank exploding.
The single mum, her three pre-teens, a kid under five, two toddlers and their turtle are now living in a Shepparton motel.
“From here I don't know what is going to happen at this stage,” Ms Stokes said.
“I have no insurance. Our house is completely gutted.
“What isn't burnt to a crisp, is smoke damaged beyond repair, or water logged.”
Ms Stokes said she walked through the remains of her home but could not return as the structure was no longer safe.
Her friend Brooke Nunn said Ms Stokes had only moved to Shepparton 12 months ago from Bendigo.
“She has no one there at all,” Ms Nunn said.
Ms Nunn and Ms Stokes said the home was provided by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and there was no assurance when she would be able to access a new place.
Ms Nunn said the single mum was struggling with the six children packed into a Shepparton hotel during the school holidays.
She said Ms Stokes was forced to bath her one-year-old Jakobi in the sink’s hotel and the turtle was living in a saucepan.
“The three youngest kids don’t understand what’s going on,” Ms Nunn said.
“They’ve just lost everything they’ve ever owned.”
Tragically, Ms Stokes also lost mementos of her stillborn son, Daniel, including plaster casts of his hands and feet and an infant loss teddy.
Ms Nunn said the Bendigo community had rallied support for the single mum with her home “overrun” by donated furniture, clothing and blankets for her friend.
She said one person even donated a change table and an aquatic tank for the turtle.
To donate to the Stokes family visit their Go Fund Me page here.
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