Ceiling fire destroys historic homestead of TV personality Tonia Todman

FIRE has torn through a historic Kyneton homestead belonging to television personality Tonia Todman. The TV chef watched as her 160-year-old bluestone home went up in flames this morning.

FIRE has torn through a central Victorian historic homestead belonging to television personality Tonia Todman.

Ms Todman has endured a crushing morning watching her 160-year-old bluestone “Highbank” home go up in flames after a blaze broke out in a converted horse stable on the Kyneton property.

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Tonia Todman and her dog named Rose on her property near Kyneton in 2012.

The old stables on Donnelly Rd were being rented out as a bed and breakfast overnight when one of the guests woke about 6.45am and noticed a fire in the roof.

The three guests evacuated and alerted the owners who were asleep in the main house.

Firefighters from 10 CFA brigades have been on scene dealing with the “difficult” fire which spread in strong winds from the bed and breakfast to Ms Todman’s house.

Firefighters work to control the fire at the Kyneton property. Picture: Channel 7

Smoke billows from the historic bluestone property. Picture: Channel 7

The fire spread from a converted horse stable to the main home. Picture: Channel 7

Bendigo CFA Operations Officer Chris Jacobsen said it would be a devastating time for the property owners.

“They’re probably going through a range of emotions, seeing some of their very hard work go up in smoke,” Mr Jacobsen said.

“They’re witnessing their life’s dream burning in front of them.”

Firefighters believe the fire started in a chimney in the bed and breakfast.

Because the flames started high up in the ceiling, the blaze was not immediately detected by the smoke alarm.

Flames have ripped through a historic farmhouse belonging to TV personality Tonia Todman. It’s understood the blaze started in a fireplace. #7News pic.twitter.com/W7TlfyS6zm

— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) July 9, 2018

While crews have been working hard to stop the spread, Mr Jacobsen said flames were inside layers of the roof — parts of which are cathedral-style — making them difficult to attack.

Firefighters have helped retrieve precious personal items from rooms spared fire damage but even in those areas of the house furniture and clothes have been ruined by smoke.

Ms Todman — who appeared on popular shows including Rove and who is known for her craft segments on Healthy, Wealthy and Wise — restored the homestead with husband Michael Dowding and has since been running cooking and craft classes at the property.

The homestead of Tonia Todman, which was destroyed by fire this morning. Picture: Tonia Todman

A room inside the Highbank bed and breakfast. Picture: Tonia Todman

Her website highlights the home’s beautiful rose gardens and opportunities to stay or learn to cook in an “ideal, unhurried country atmosphere”.

“Highbank’s historic 160 year old bluestone stables and blacksmiths have been converted into an elegant and luxuriously furnished self-contained B&B with two queen sized bedrooms, a wood fire, a fully equipped kitchen, a deep bath and your own private driveway and walled garden, all with distant views,” it reads.

Ms Todman watched her 160-year-old bluestone ‘Highbank’ home go up in flames after the blaze broke out. Picture: Tonia Todman

Mr Jacobsen said it was the third recent fire he was aware of breaking out while residents slept, and a timely reminder to check smoke alarms.

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