Monique & Shane Graham’s home devastated by lithium-ion battery blaze while on holiday

After returning from a family trip, a Mildura couple found their home destroyed by a fire, likely caused by a lithium-ion battery. Now, they want to raise awareness about the batteries.

The remnants of the Graham's house following the blaze at their Eleventh St home in Mildura. Picture: Supplied

The victims of a house fire that destroyed nearly all their belongings want to spread the word about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries.

Monique, 52, and Shane Graham, 54, lost everything when their Eleventh Street house in Mildura went up in flames last Tuesday morning.

The blaze was so intense that the sky over Mildura was nearly blackened by smoke long after firefighters began battling the inferno.

Investigations by the State Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) determined the fire that gutted the house was probably caused by a lithium-ion battery for an e-bike.

“We hope this unfortunate accident helps raise awareness surrounding the use and storage of certain types of batteries in and around people’s homes,” Ms Graham, a fitness instructor said.

Thankfully, the Grahams weren’t at home during the disaster; they were in Sydney spending quality time with their grandchildren.

Monique and Shane Graham during happier times. Picture: Supplied

Ms Graham began receiving frantic calls while on a train heading to the Sydney Harbour Bridge with her granddaughter.

“I kept apologising to her because I kept answering the phone, and she said to me, ‘Oh no, I’m so sorry for you, Nonna Mon. It’s OK,” Ms Graham said.

When the couple returned to Mildura on the Friday following the fire, they were shocked by what they saw.

“We spoke to the fire investigator on the phone on Thursday, and he showed us around a bit, but when we got back, it was definitely a shock,” she said.

Remarkably, a few pieces of clothing managed to survive the inferno, along with a handmade throw blanket gifted to Ms Graham by a friend.

The remnants of the Graham's house following the blaze at their Eleventh St home in Mildura. Picture: Supplied

“Surprisingly, there was a box in the lounge room that I rest my feet on when I watch TV, and inside that box was a hand-knitted blanket that my girlfriend had made for me — it didn’t have a mark on it,” she said.

A group of the Grahams’ friends set up a GoFundMe to help them rebuild their lives. The fundraiser has already attracted 45 donations, totalling $3595 at the time of writing.

The outpouring of support from friends and the wider community has left the couple speechless.

“We are both just so grateful and appreciative to everybody who has reached out to us to offer help and support in any way,” Ms Graham said.

“A lot of people just don’t have money, and it’s just great — no matter what it is or who it is — that people would help us.”