But it ended up being a life saver.
It was Jess’ rental that was razed by fire in Turnbull St a fortnight ago, with the structure completely wiped out by flames along with all her possessions.
"I was woken in the middle of the night by my best friend’s brother saying my house was on fire," Jess said.
"We went around to the house, and that was it. There was nothing there."
She doesn’t think her young family would have survived if they had been sleeping inside at the time.
"I feel very, very lucky that we weren’t there," she said.
"It was very out of character for us not to be home. The kids are young so we have a routine, especially at bedtime.
"It was pretty much a spur of the moment decision not to be there that night.
"We lost everything."
With asbestos discovered in the bathroom and structural damage through the rest of the house, Jess hasn’t been able to get inside and see if anything is salvageable.
And given the fire is being treated as suspicious, return to the home might be a long time coming.
"I'm just trying to stay strong for my boys, it's all I can do," she said.
Contrary to prior Free Press reports that Jess did not know the family that took her in, her best friend took the family in.
Jess said she was thankful for her friend who organised clothes and food, as well the local Salvation Army Corps who have helped with immediate relief assistance.
"The amount of support that we have received has been overwhelming," Jess said.
"My best friend and her family have been incredibly welcoming and really supportive, and we will stay with them for now.
"This all happened so quickly and before we knew it we had people from as far as Bendigo helping us.
"I’ve been really surprised by how many people have reached out."
The investigation into what started the blaze is ongoing.
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