Mother says community support got family through darkest days

The victims of a tragic house fire on the Darling Downs have the community to thank for coming to their aid.

Lisa Briggs says she still can’t shake the feeling deep in her gut when she drives past her Kingsthorpe property, or what remains of it.
Although it’s nearly been a month since the family arrived home to find their Gulligal St home of 18 years completely destroyed, Ms Briggs said her large clan still could not believe the outpouring of generosity she had received from the Darlings Downs community.

Lisa Briggs and her youngest of eight children, one-year-old Caine Coleman. Photo: Bev Lacey

“The only household item we’ve actually had to purchase is a potato masher,” she said.

“From the minute we arrived home we had people bringing tooth brushes and pyjamas for us to use, it was just incredible. There aren’t words for the kind of gratitude I’ll always have for everyone who came to us in our hour of need.”

In a miraculous turn of fate, not one member of the ten person family was home at the time of the fire.

Lisa’s daughter Jaella was out having a driving lesson with her father, Conrad Coleman and the other four children who still live at home were with Lisa at a friend’s house in Oakey.

Remington, the family’s beloved staffy was the only one who needed rescuing from the neighbours when they became aware of the house fire.

Lisa Briggs (left) and two of her eight children, Caine and Jaella Coleman. A fire destroyed their family home in Kingsthorpe home just before New Year. The community has donated goods to help them get back on their feet including staff at Westside Orthodontics who have presented them with baskets of goods the staff have purchased. Photo: Bev Lacey

Ms Briggs said while they were counting their blessings the fire did not leave more permanent scars on her family, her children were grieving for much more than their possessions.

“Because it was only a couple of days after Christmas they all lost their presents, but I think we were all just relieved that no one was actually home when it happened. It could have easily been a different story and we’re just so glad no one was hurt,” she said.

“My daughter Darcy lost her iPad in the fire, which she was really devastated about but a few days later she was upset and when we asked her what was wrong she said she was sad that her youngest brother, Caine, wouldn’t be able to make memories growing up in our home like the rest of her siblings have done and that really broke my heart.

“It just shows you that kids these days aren’t completely concerned with their toys and gadgets, she was most upset about the memories lost but we’re planning to rebuild and I know we’ll create just as many good memories in the new house.”

Jaella said she could see smoke in the distance she was driving but thought it was “just someone burning off”.

Emergency services attend a house fire in Gulligal St, Kingsthorpe, Monday, December 28, 2020. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“It wasn’t until we got home that I realised it was our home that was actually on fire,” she said.

The 18-year-old said each of her siblings had lost something particularly near and dear to them, but it wasn’t until she was going to bed in their temporary accommodation the following night she realised she was without her retainer.

“I kind of panicked because I didn’t want my teeth to shift, so we called Westside Orthodontics and they fit me in the next day and gave me new retainers for free.”

Ms Briggs said Westside Orthodontics, Kingsthorpe State School and Oakey State High School had all been incredibly generous with their support to the entire family.

“The schools have both provided us with all of our uniforms and school supplies which was such a relief with back to school coming up so soon,” she said.

“We honestly don’t know where we’d be without our community, it would have been so hard to face all of this on our own.

“You never think you’ll be in this situation until it happens to you and then it’s all about just getting through things one day at a time.”

Fire destroyed the Coleman's family home in Kingsthorpe home just before New Year. The community has donated goods to help them get back on their feet including staff at Westside Orthodontics who have presented them with baskets of goods the staff have purchased. From left; Lauren McCormack, Devan Naidu owner of Westside Orthodontics, Caine and Jaella Coleman and their mother, Lisa Briggs. Photo: Bev Lacey

Westside Orthodontics has been part of the family’s journey for several years, and owner Devan Naidu said the clinic felt strongly about supporting them rebuild their lives again.

“We are very lucky to live in a community so close knit and supportive like the Darling Downs,” he said.

“Jaella and her family’s experience hit us hard here at Westside and we knew we wanted to do something to help.”

Fire destroyed the Coleman's family home in Kingsthorpe home just before New Year. The community has donated goods to help them get back on their feet including staff at Westside Orthodontics who have presented them with baskets of goods the staff have purchased. From left; Lauren McCormack, Devan Naidu owner of Westside Orthodontics, Caine and Jaella Coleman and their mother, Lisa Briggs. Photo: Bev Lacey.

Thanks to the help of some thoughtful staff members, Westside has managed to create some hampers loaded with brand new household essentials, boardgames, toiletries and a few treats.

“With eight kids, and five still at home I already know most of the chocolates and sweets aren’t going to last too long,” Ms Briggs said.

“But I know we will remember all of the help and support we’ve received from the community for many, many years to come.”