How Murrumbeena Uniting Church group of board gamers

A young adults board game group who helped evacuate dozens of elderly residents from a Murrumbeena nursing home as a fire bore down next door only decided to meet on the night in a “spur of the moment” decision, it has been revealed.

Board gamers Harjyot Kaur, Erin Robinson, Nicole Mugford and Kelly Skilton.

The pastor of a Murrumbeena church’s young adults group who helped rescue dozens of elderly residents from a huge blaze says they were only nearby because of a “spur of the moment” decision.

A Murrumbeena Uniting Church group of board gamers assisted in evacuating 25 Spurway Community nursing home residents as a fire engulfed a neighbouring property on Sunday, June 30.

Youth and Young Adults Pastor Kelly Skilton said she was grateful the group was even there to help as they had only decided to hold a board game night in a “spur of the moment” decision earlier that day.

Then, in the evening, the group smelt smoke.

She said the group of eight ran in to the nursing home to warn sleeping residents when they realised the fire was next door.

“I turned around and all our young adults had run into the building as well,” Ms Skilton said.

“It was really incredible.”

The group helped the elderly residents into the church because it was too cold and smoky to wait outside in the nursing home’s evacuation point.

Ms Skilton said the “whole community pulled together”.

Spurway residents being cared for at Murrumbeena Uniting Church. Picture: Andrew Faram

“We had neighbours call in with warm milk and biscuits, we were playing classical music and serving tea and coffee and chatting to everyone,” she said.

“These people have lived their lives and have kept Murrumbeena going for decades, and then to have to wait to have someone come in and help them out of their room to safety must have been difficult.

“But I think once they knew they were safe they actually enjoyed being there.”

Ms Skilton said she was “beyond proud” of the youth group’s bravery.

“We put faith into action to serve the community as people of faith and we will do that throughout our lives in little simple ways,” Ms Skilton said.

“But this was a much more drastic way.”

Nine fire crews arrived at the scene about 7pm and brought the fire under control within about 15 minutes.

Murrumbeena Rd the night of the fire. Pic: Andrew Faram

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“It was shooting sparks everywhere,” Mr Faram said.

Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within about 15 minutes, but the building was damaged extensively.

One woman was taken to hospital and some of the other residents were treated for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire was being investigated. No other properties on Murrumbeena Rd were affected.