Family of four lose their Barossa Valley home to an overnight fire, damages estimated at $1.3m
A family of four and their pet turtle have been saved from fire at their $1.3m Barossa Valley home.
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A family of four has lost their Barossa Valley home to a fire overnight, which is estimated to have caused about $1.3m damage.
Country Fire Service crews were called to a house on Queens St, Williamstown – about 16km southeast of Gawler between the Barossa and Adelaide Hills – just after 3.20am Saturday.
About 60 firefighters on 12 fire trucks with two bulk water carriers attended the scene, and used defensive firefighting techniques to stop the fire from spreading.
A family of four who live at the property were safely evacuated, and are being treated at the scene for shock.
Neighbour Gary Green, 62, said he was separated from the house fire only by some trees and bushes in his front garden.
Mr Green explained he was woken by his wife telling him the next door house was on fire which forced him to step out and witness the blaze himself.
“My wife woke me at 3.20am and she said the house next door is on fire,” Mr Green said.
“So we sort of had a look, see what was going on, and these massive flames coming out of the house – it was really on fire.
“It was a pretty intense fire, there’s nothing we could do.”
Mr Green described the flames to have been as high as 20 metres at one point.
He said he heard crackling throughout the night which was interspersed with loud “bangs” when the gas bottles erupted.
But the Williamstown community is likely to help the victims of the fire.
“We’ve already dropped them a message this morning, Mr Green said.
“If they need anything done, we’re more than happy to do it.
Crews also managed to save the family’s pet turtle and reunite it with the family.
The home has been completely destroyed with financial losses estimated at $1.3 million.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, however fire investigators will attend the property to investigate how the blaze started.
Crews from Metropolitan Fire Service, SA Police, Ambulance Services and SA Power Networks attended the property to support CFS crews.
The CFS have issued an advice message to residents in the area to monitor conditions.
The blaze is still causing a lot of smoke in the Williamstown area but does not pose a threat to the community.
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Originally published as Family of four lose their Barossa Valley home to an overnight fire, damages estimated at $1.3m
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