Nathan Bragg relives devastating Nirimba townhouse fire

When a Sunshine Coast paramedic left his home to quickly duck to the shops, he had no idea his world was about to be rocked. When he returned, everything was destroyed.

A young paramedic is among four tenants seeking urgent accommodation after a mystery blaze destroyed their Caloundra West townhouse and almost all of their belongings.

Nathan Bragg, 28, and his three housemates were left with barely anything more than the clothes on their backs after their Nirimba townhouse went up in flames on Saturday evening, August 26.

It is not known what caused the blaze, or where it started, but it has been deemed non suspicious.

Neighbours had taken to the blaze with their own hoses while awaiting fire fighters, but it wasn’t enough to salvage the property. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

A GoFundMe page has been launched to help support the group which has raised thousands of dollars.

Nathan Bragg, Sunshine Coast paramedic. (Left). Photo: Social media

Mr Bragg, a paramedic studying a postgraduate bachelor of advanced paramedicine at Monash University, said he and his partner had gone to the shops to get dinner shortly before the fire started.

He recalled the moment he knew something was wrong; when he stopped to let emergency crews through one street away from his own.

Moments later, his fears were confirmed.

“I got on scene and essentially my housemates were out, one was sitting down, the other was cradling him,” he said.

Neighbours tried to save a townhouse that was destroyed in a blaze on Olivia Cres, Nirimba, on August 26.

“What I felt was: ‘Is this real? Is this actually ours? Is this our place?’ And when everything was actually confirmed, it was just tears from me.

“All I had left was to just sit on the lawn near my housemates and put my head between my legs … it just hit me hard there.”

It wasn’t until later Mr Bragg was told by a third party two of his housemates had rushed back inside the burning building, thinking he was still in there after seeing his car parked outside.

“It was so much for me in that moment. I am so blessed to have those people in my life,” he said.

A townhouse in Olivia Cres, Nirimba, was destroyed by a vicious blaze on August 26. Picture: Letea Cavander

For now, Mr Bragg and his former housed have been taken in by friends and family, but still face an uncertain future in finding a new place to live.

Mr Bragg said he is doing all he can to secure a new rental and hoping for the best”.

He said he has also deferred his studies.

“It’s a tough situation for (my housemates too), and they’re amazing and great people and they don’t deserve it at all. It’s rough,” he said.

Inside the destroyed Nirimba townhouse. Photo: Social media

A GoFundMe by Mr Bragg’s sister was started to help get him back on his feet. At the time of publishing it has raised $2,855 – almost thrice the original target of $1000.

He said he was “lost for words” at the community support, and personally thanked Queensland first responder support group, Code Blue, who organised an auction to help Mr Bragg back on his feet.

To his neighbours, who were the first on scene and alerted his housemates to the blaze, he said they were “amazing” for their efforts.

Originally published as Nathan Bragg relives devastating Nirimba townhouse fire