Fundraiser for family who lost everything in devastating house fire, including one of their dogs

A family of seven has shared their devastation after a blaze destroyed their northern suburbs home and killed their beloved dog.

A family of seven are hoping to rise from the ashes after their Banksia Park home that was once filled with “countless memories” completely burned down.

The fire destroyed everything including one of their oldest dogs, Remo.

Speaking to The Advertiser, Brooklyn Gunn, 16, shared the tragic details of when the fire ravaged through her house on June 4, around 8pm, while she was home alone.

Ms Gunn was laying down in her bedroom when she smelt smoke from the kitchen. She walked over to see if the “oven and toasters” had been left on – moments before the fire alarm went off.

“I went down the hallway to where the fire alarm was,” Ms Gunn said.

“I approached my sister’s bedroom and when I opened the door, my sister’s bed was completely covered in fire. One of my cats was in there.

The fire destroyed everything, including one of their oldest dogs, Remo. Picture: Supplied

A Banksia Park family lost everything after a house fire. Picture: Supplied

“I grabbed (another) the dog and I took it out the front, and the neighbour took the dog,” Ms Gunn said.

“Then I went back inside and tried to get the cat from under the bed, then the windows started smashing because of the heat.”

Brooklyn quickly ran into her room to grab her phone. She then nearly became trapped in the fire.

“I came out and there was a fire in the hallway and going up to the roof. I was completely trapped.”

She tried to rescue their family dog Remo, who the family have owned for about 16 to 17 years.

“I did try to catch him during the fire, but then the little puppy ran back down the hallway and I had to catch her because it was just me in the house,” she said.

“I was just trying to get all the animals out and get myself out.

“Everyone was just telling me to get out of the house and I was struggling to breathe, and I couldn’t see anything because the lights went out and everything was smoke.”

Family dog Remo, who died after a house fire at Banksia Park on June 4. Picture: Supplied

Remo wrapped up in a blanket after the fire. Picture: Supplied

Ms Gunn eventually made it out safely and was treated for “smoke inhalation”, but by the time firefighters found Remo, he had passed away.

“We went around and we got the dog and we wrapped him up in a blanket and we were just holding him,’ she said.

“We were all just crying.”

Ms Gunn said their landlord booked the family a hotel for the night, but the family are now desperately trying to find a new home, with the help of homeless services.

“They got us connected with these other people who were giving us food and gift cards,” she said.

“We lost everything in the house. Our money, our documents, everything was in the house.”

In the meantime, Ms Gunn launched a GoFundMe fundraiser in hopes of raising $10,000, for the family to get back on their feet.

“We’re a big family, and we lost everything – our home, our belongings, and even one of our oldest dogs who couldn’t find his way out,” Ms Gunn wrote in the fundraiser.

“Our house was more than just walls and furniture; it was where we laughed, cried, and made countless memories together.

“Now, it’s all gone, reduced to ashes. We’re left with nothing but emptiness and despair, wondering how we’ll ever pick up the pieces.”

Originally published as Fundraiser for family who lost everything in devastating house fire, including one of their dogs