Queensland Fire Department firefighters called to major house fire in Spencer St, Roma

The Roma community is rallying around three young tenants of a home destroyed by fire, taking a beloved pet along with it. Here’s how you can help.

A fundraiser has been set up for the occupants of a home in Spencer St, Roma whose belongings perished in a fire Thursday afternoon. Photo: GoFundMe

Three young tenants of a South West Queensland home watched their belongings go up in flames as fire took hold of their timber home.

A fundraiser is now up and running, having already raised more than $800 overnight.

Organiser and family friend Karl Hermans said the fire also claimed one of the trio’s pet cats.

Mr Hermans said the trio, 16-year-old Lily, 17-year-old Hope and 20-year-old Kai, had been hanging out at home when they were alerted to the smell of smoke.

“They’ve lost everything, including one of their cats, another survived but was severely burnt and their dog managed to escape,” he said.

Mr Hermans is calling on the Roma community to lend a hand to the young group while they get back on their feet.

One of the residents, Hope, said they were preparing to vacate the property and had planned to be out on January 21.

“We’re still pretty shocked and still trying to process everything, we’ve had quite a bit of support from the community so we have plenty of options (of places to stay),” she said.

“I never thought so many people would help out, we’re really thankful to them all.”

A fundraiser has been set up for the occupants of a home in Spencer St, Roma whose belongings perished in a fire Thursday afternoon. Photo: GoFundMe

Mr Hermans said he’s already been contacted by Lily’s school who offered to supply uniforms and school supplies ahead of school starting back on January 28.

The group are in need of clothing and essential items, as well as funding for veterinary treatment of their cat Pepper, and a new retainer for Hope who recently underwent dental work.

Queensland Fire Department crews were called to the private address on Spencer St, Roma at around 4pm on Thursday to reports of a house fire.

A QFD spokesman said when crews arrived the wooden structure was fully engulfed in flame, with crews going into action at the front of the structure.

Crews also worked to protect an expose on side of the structure and it’s understood an adjoining property sustained minor heat damage.

The QFD spokesman said three occupants were home at the time and had made it out of the structure safely when crews had arrived.

Fire crews had the structure under control by 5pm and continued dampening down until after 7pm.

The QFD spokesman said overnight the fire had reignited in one of the bedrooms, with crews quickly extinguishing it.

A fire investigator is still to determine the cause, however a QFD spokesman said it’s believed to be non-suspicious.

It’s understood the fire began somewhere in the front of the house and due to Thursday’s strong winds, has propelled the fire throughout the house.

Originally published as Queensland Fire Department firefighters called to major house fire in Spencer St, Roma