Bethanga fire that gutted home not suspicious, fundraiser launched

Firefighters were alerted to Thursday morning's Beardmore Street blaze by a neighbour.

A person forced entry to the home to ensure nobody was inside, but the property was vacant.

Police and firefighters say no suspicious circumstances have been discovered.

CFA Commander Brett Myers said investigators had found the area the fire started but were struggling to determine the exact cause, given the extent of the damage.

"But we have eliminated any suspicious activity," he said.

"Fire investigators will be attending today to have another look at it.

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"The Bethanga fire brigade attended this morning to extinguish some hot spots within the fire."

The burnt building is at risk of collapsing and will need to be knocked down.

Mr Myers said the unfortunate incident showed the dangers of house fires and the need for people to have safety plans.

"It's important people know what the plan is, were this to happen to them," he said.

"Where are the kids, how are they getting out of the house, are they meeting at the letterbox or the next door neighbour's house?

"This unfortunate event can serve as a timely reminder for people to reduce the risk of this happening and potentially having even more disastrous consequences."

A fundraiser has been launched for the family of four.

Parents Sinead Culling and Lance Parker, and their children Brooke and Bree, lived at the home.

Elite Property Management director Kate Hobbs said the family had been left with just their clothes on their backs, weeks out from Christmas.

"Merely six weeks out from Christmas, this beautiful local Bethanga family have been devastated by a freak house fire," she wrote on GoFundMe.

"All of their sentimental family memories and belongings have gone up in smoke leaving them with literally the clothes on their back.

"They have been Bethanga locals all their lives and have worked amongst and supported their community at every opportunity.

"We are calling on Border locals and the wider community to dig deep for this beautiful family.

"Lets try and bring back some cheer for them this Christmas.

"Please help us raise some much needed funds to get them back on their feet."

Florist Bethanga Blooms is also donating all money from flower sales this week to the family.

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