Roma community rallies after fire destroys home on Chrystal St
Just weeks out from Christmas, a family has lost everything in a devastating fire, however the town’s mighty country spirit is already starting to help them get back on their feet. SEE THE INCREDIBLE VIDEO
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A Roma family is picking up the pieces after their home was ravaged by fire on Thursday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the fire on Chrystal St, Roma, just before 5pm on November 14, but the fire had already engulfed the home, destroying all its contents in its wake.
It’s the second house fire in a day in the town.
The house which erupted into flames was an older building, divided into two units.
One of those units was occupied by Cameron Price and Xandra Mei Abulencia.
Mr Price’s sister, Tennielle Limpus, sprung into action, putting together a GoFundMe for her brother and his partner, and the Roma community has risen to the challenge.
Ms Limpus said she was “humbled” by the response from the community, with more than $4000 raised in the first day of the fundraising effort, and countless offers of support from the community.
She said she had been “inundated” with messages of support from the community.
“We’re just very thankful and very grateful to the community for getting behind them,” she said.
“It’s just so lovely to know that our community … (is) so generous.
In the GoFundMe, Ms Limpus said as well as losing their home and everyday essentials, Ms Abulencia had also just bought all the gifts for her two children, a six-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl.
“Now, with the holiday season approaching, there’s a significant void, as their hopes for the holidays and the essentials they need to start over have vanished in a single afternoon,” Ms Limpus wrote on the fundraiser.
In the comments of Ms Limpus’ post to Roma Community Discussion, dozens of people reached out with offers of toys, clothes, homewares and more for the couple and Ms Abulencia’s children.
Due to the swift support, Ms Limpus said Mr Price and Ms Abulencia have even been able to find somewhere to live.
The GoFundMe can be found here.
A Queensland Police Service spokesman said emergency services were called to the property just before 5pm on Thursday.
“The fire soon engulfed both units within the duplex, with both homes destroyed,” he said.
“No one was injured and a crime scene was declared.
“Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.”
The fire on Chrystal St started less than 24 hours after another fire destroyed a property on Duke St South.
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Originally published as Roma community rallies after fire destroys home on Chrystal St
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