Update on family after Christmas tree fire destroys home

A family of four is struggling through the holidays after their house was destroyed in a fire caused by Christmas tree decorations.

A Melbourne family is attempting to rebuild their lives after a fire caused by Christmas tree decorations gutted their home.

The Glen Waverley family’s home was destroyed in a fire on Sunday night, causing irreparable damage to the two-storey townhouse.

The mother told Seven News earlier this week: “My husband and kids are safe. Everything just went really quick … Christmas is ruined, literally.”

Family friend Maria Bulovic took to GoFundMe in an effort to raise money for the couple and their two daughters “to help them with rebuilding their lives”.

A Melbourne family's home was destroyed by a fire caused by Christmas tree decorations. Picture: Seven.

The mother said Christmas had been “ruined”. Picture: Seven.

“George and Roula, with their two beautiful daughters lost everything and were left with only the clothes on their backs,” she said in the GoFundMe.

“They had lived in their home for 24 years and it held a lifetime of memories.

“With Roula at work, George was home with his daughters aged 16 and 3 when the smoke alarm triggered and he noticed the Christmas tree was on fire.

“George tried to get the tree out of the house and hose it down but the fire got too big for him to battle.

“He got his daughters out of the house safely, however he suffered burns to his feet and arm whilst he tried to put out the fire.”

The townhouse will have to be demolished. Picture: Seven

The appeal asks for donations after the family’s belongings were destroyed just days out from Christmas.

As of Wednesday afternoon, it had raised over $19,000 of a $50,000 target.

The fire spread to neighbouring homes, which were also damaged.

It took 38 firefighters close to an hour to bring the fire under control, but the house will have to be knocked down.

Fire Rescue Victoria said the fire had been attributed to Christmas tree decorations.

Originally published as Update on family after Christmas tree fire destroys home