MATTHEW and Veronica Fowler have urged people to check their smoke alarms following a fire that destroyed their family home.
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“If it wasn’t for a smoke alarm, we wouldn’t be here,” Mr Fowler said.
“[The fire] really would’ve taken hold before we knew about it.”
The fire left the family without their two cats, the place they called home for 16 years and all of their possessions.
With the support of family, friends and the community, the family has started to rebuild their lives.
“Without the community we would’ve been buggered, the support we’ve had has been amazing,” Mr Fowler said.
“All of our furniture has been donated to us, there’s [also] been money, clothing and food donated.”
The family is currently living in a rental property and is in the process of returning to a normal life.
“Sometimes you think you’re fine and someone will ask you about it and you just break down,” Mr Fowler said.
“We’re still having trouble sleeping, just being in a foreign place you hear all of these strange noises.
“You sleep in the one spot for 16 years and you get comfortable and you know your surrounds.”
Mr Fowler said he was thankful he still had his family to lean on for support.
“We try to be together at tea time so we can have a meal together,” he said.
“Tea is a time to get together, catch up and have a bit of family time.”
Mr and Mrs Fowler thanked members of the emergency services for their assistance during their time of need.
“With the fire brigade, they were amazing,” Mr Fowler said.
“They helped us bury the pets. That’s not one of their jobs, it just shows you how caring they actually are.”
“We’d like to thank the fire brigade, the police, the ambulance and everyone else for their support,” Mrs Fowler added.
Orange Fire and Rescue NSW senior firefighter Phillip Pedley encouraged residents to check their smoke alarms as they gave an early warning of a fire in the home.
“Once you get smoke inhalation [while you’re sleeping], you don’t actually wake up,” Mr Pedley said.
“It’ll wake basically anyone up and create an early warning of a fire even in its very early stages.”
The family’s insurance company is currently covering their rent and is processing their claim.
