GoFundMe organised for Northcote’s Sherri Bruinhout after suspicious fire next door destroyed home

A Northcote mum, who has helped the homeless for years, now finds herself in the same position after a fire spread from a neighbouring property.

GoFundMe organised for Sherri, Leo, Matilda, Max and Cody (their dog), who lost their home to a suspicious house fire at the neighbouring house in Northcote, Victoria.

A Northcote woman who has been helping desperate people find housing for years has lost all her prized possessions in a horrifying house fire that started next door.

Sherri Bruinhout, the executive director of homelessness and housing Support at Homes Victoria, and her three children were asleep in their family home on George St in Northcote on April 11 when a fire erupted at their neighbour’s home, before spreading to their house.

Ms Bruinhout and her three children and pet dog evacuated the home quickly, leaving all their belongings behind.

In minutes, their family home was burnt down by the flames and will soon be demolished.

A family of four have lost their home after a fire started at a neighbouring property at Northcote, Victoria. Photo: supplied.

A family spokeswoman, who wished to remain anonymous said the “incredible” firefighters helped the “devastated” family retrieve a couple of photos, but the flames burned everything else.

Ms Bruinhout, who has worked with the Victorian government to help others with housing, never thought she would find herself in this situation, the spokeswoman said.

“The enormity of the loss is overwhelming. The family is so loved, cherished, supported, and generous,” she said.

No one was injured in the house fire.

Water damage and flames from the fire has left the Northcote home unlivable. Photo: supplied.

An online fundraiser has been organised to support Ms Bruinhout and her family while they look for short-term accommodation.

“There is an inherent discomfort in being in a position where you need assistance when you’ve been so wonderfully capable of providing for others,” she said.

“Everyone is deserving of support and Sherri has been someone that has lived that for a very long time … anything that anyone would like to do to support them in navigating this will be of great assistance for her family.

“It’s heartbreaking to see their ability to recognise how much they have to be grateful for and to have each other … the resilience of Sherri and her children is the most amazing thing I’ve ever been privileged to witness.”
You can donate to the GoFundMe here.