Tracey Humphries escaped the weatherboard house before the blaze fully took hold, but she was unable to rescue her six pet dogs.

The fire is believed to have started at around 8.30pm. Forensic experts have examined the scene, but the cause of the fire is still undetermined.

Family friend Belinda Johan said Ms Humphries, who was alone in the house, was in her bedroom when she heard a loud bang. 

She went to investigate, and found herself facing a wall of flame. 

She fled the house, calling for her dogs Jelly, Daisy, Coco, Dexter, Gypsy and Babi to come. Ms Humphries tried to go back in for her pets, but the fire was too intense. A neighbour came to her aid, but there was nothing they could do.

Ms Humphries has three grown children and several grandchildren. 

Ms Johan said with the three-bedroom weatherboard house a twisted and blackened wreck, her friend is left with nothing but the clothes she was wearing when the fire broke out. 

Once the site had cooled and the forensic teams were finished with their investigation she was able to poke through the ashes and find a couple of photo albums. 

She is staying with family right now, but an appeal has been set up at  the Greater Building Society to help Ms Humphries get back on her feet. 

Fire Inspector Tom Freedom said a gas main at the house ruptured, feeding the fire to such an extent that firefighters were forced back until it could be isolated by the gas authority.

They turned to defending neighbouring properties, which had been evacuated. 

Ms Humphries’ car, which was in a carport separate from the house, was also destroyed due to the fire’s intensity.