Firefighters battle Rowe Court, Drysdale blaze
A close-knit community of neighbours rushed to save a couple and their home from a fire that ripped through a shed. WATCH THE VIDEO
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Drysdale woman said she is still “walking around in a daze” after her shed went up in flames on the weekend of her 70th birthday.
Gail McDonald said she and her husband Andy heard a loud bang on Friday morning and looked outside to see their shed was on fire.
“It’s something you don’t expect. It’s just a shock.
“The main thing is we’re safe,” Ms McDonald said.
Fire Rescue Victoria is still investigating the incident but it is not being treated as suspicious at this stage.
Paramedics attended but no one was injured.
When the blaze drew the attention of the street, many neighbours ran out of their homes to try and save the Rowe Court home.
They were able to rescue a boat and retrieved other inflammable items but Mr McDonald’s tools and fishing gear were destroyed.
“We had neighbours running everywhere and they dragged (the boat) out and then it just went absolutely boom.
“It wasn’t safe then.
“It’s not worth losing your life over it,” Ms McDonald added.
Ms McDonald said it was “fantastic” to see her neighbours rush to help them save some of their belongings.
“We’re very, very close in the whole court.
“They’re all really personal friends.”
Firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus gear worked together to extinguish the fire and got it under control around 8am.
Ms McDonald was planning to celebrate her birthday at her home on Saturday night with about 60 guests but had to cancel.
Instead, she and her husband went to a friend’s place for a dinner and are planning to celebrate on Monday with immediate family. As for the party, Ms McDonald hopes to reschedule soon.
FRIDAY, 17 FEBRUARY
A Drysdale woman has been forced to cancel her 70th birthday party after her shed went up in flames on Friday morning.
Gail McDonald’s husband Andy said he heard a bang about 7am Friday.
“I was just dozing,” Mr McDonald said.
“Twenty seconds later I heard another louder bang and thought ‘that can’t be too good’.”
“I shifted the blind and bingo, the shed’s on fire.
“It was in flames.
“I took off outside.”
Mr McDonald and bystanders saved a boat from the shed and retrieved whatever other inflammable items they could.
“It was just getting too hot to be in there, so we scrambled out and waited for the fire brigade,” he said.
While the Rowe Court home was saved, the shed and contents including Mr McDonald’s tools and fishing gear were destroyed.
Mrs McDonald’s 70th birthday party was due to be held at the home on Saturday night with about 60 guests.
But the family has been forced to cancel the party due to the blaze.
Paramedics attended the scene, but no one was injured.
A CFA spokesperson said crews responded to reports of a shed fire on Rowe Court in Drysdale at 7.33am Friday.
Six CFA vehicles responded, along with Fire Rescue Victoria, Ambulance Victoria and police, the spokesperson said.
“A community warning was issued, warning residents of smoke in the area,” the spokesperson said.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus gear worked together to extinguish the blaze, which was deemed under control at 8.04am.
The spokesperson said the scene was declared safe at 8.46am and fire investigators would attend on Friday to determine the cause of the fire.
More Coverage
Originally published as Firefighters battle Rowe Court, Drysdale blaze
Full list: All the showbags at this year’s Royal Geelong Show
More than 80 showbags will be on offer at this year’s Royal Geelong Show. Check out all their contents and prices.
More council candidates pledge Palestine support
More than 20 council candidates in the Geelong region have now pledged their support to a campaign that “demonstrates that Palestine is an important voter issue”.