Already struggling with financial difficulties, the horse trainers are just thankful the blaze didn’t kill anyone, with two family members fleeing the burning homestead with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Debbie Stockton said her sister Shelley Ogilvie (nee Stockton) and her partner Tony Peacock were still in shock after watching their home of six years burn to the ground.
‘‘It’s a fairly traumatic time for them,’’ Debbie said.
Shelley’s son Bryce Ogilvie, who worked on the farm, was sleeping in a bedroom with his three year-old son Isaiah when the fire started in the chimney.
‘‘They lit the open fireplaces in the early evening and Bryce woke up to find the room full of thick smoke,’’ Debbie said.
‘‘He grabbed his son, got the dogs and got out of there. Shelley has a little Jack Russell and we thought we lost him because of the smoke and heat. They kept working on him and he ended up being okay.
‘‘As devastating as it is to have nothing left, it could have been so much worse. They could have lost a child and grandchild.’’Shelley and Tony, who train for harness racing, were on their property with the animals when the fire started.
‘‘They came running and the fire just took off,’’ Debbie said.
‘‘It’s an old homestead with Murray pine ceilings and timber everywhere so it just went whoosh.
‘‘Shelley’s son had just brought back a box of childhood photos and jewellery and they all went up in smoke.
‘‘Tony wanted his briefcase with all his business stuff in it but when he opened the door to get it, the heat was so ferocious he couldn’t get in.’’
Firefighters from Deniliquin, Finley and Moama Fire and Rescue NSW as well as Moama Rural Fire Brigade were called to the blaze about 4.30pm.
Debbie said Shelley and Tony are still trying to come to terms with their loss.
‘‘They’ve already lost their income because they can’t race due to the Coronavirus and they’ve also been through a terrible drought, so it’s been a tough time for them,’’ Debbie said.
‘‘Something like this really tests your resilience.’’
On Monday, Debbie and the couple’s friends were helping move the family into a shed on the property.
‘‘We’ve been cleaning it up and putting bits and pieces as well as getting services connected to make it a home as best as we can,’’ she said.
‘‘Nothing extravagant as they’re both pretty simple people.
‘‘The Salvos have been absolutely amazing and have given them beds and other things needed to start over.
‘‘The neighbours have also been wonderful, with people offering clothing and other things.
‘‘It’s a terrible time for everyone at the moment because of the coronavirus but they’re still willing to help.’’
A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help the couple and Isaiah, who they care for, to get back on their feet.
‘‘It’s still such a shock for them and they’re trying to get their head around what they need,’’ Debbie said.
‘‘Donations to the GoFundMe page will help them get the things they need to start over.’’
As of yesterday, more than $6000 had been raised. To donate, go to gofundme.com/f/shelly-amp-tony-house-burnt-down-easter-sunday.
~ Ivy Jensen
10°C