General News
7 August, 2022
Hopetoun residents rally around family
Single mother Issy and her two children lost everything in a fire on July 17.
A FAMILY devastated by a house fire has found solace in the spirit of the Hopetoun community.
Single mother Issy and her two children lost everything in a fire on July 17.
The fire took hold shortly after 8.40pm, allegedly starting via the house's power board before spreading throughout the Mandeville Street home.
The fire was declared under control at 9:27pm before being declared safe at 9:46pm.
The SES was requested but was later cancelled due to the containment of the fire.
Three Country Fire Authority (CFA) tankers attended the scene.
The CFA confirmed the fire did not appear suspicious.
Issy spoke of the difficulties the young family had faced and thanked the Hopetoun community for their continued support.
"The children aren't sleeping, they're waking up every night screaming, thinking we've got to run out," Issy told ABC Wimmera.
"We didn't have anywhere to go for two days. A lady in town offered me a bed (and) we took her up on it."
Issy's two children have multiple disabilities and are struggling with the lack of security since the fire.
"They've lost everything, everything they need to make day-to-day life work - all visual structures, the weighted blankets, it's gone," she said during the radio interview.
"I know they're only things - I'm so thankful we're alive.
"The Hopetoun community has been amazing, it feels in one way we may have lost the house but we've gained a community.
"I just want to say thank you to the Hopetoun community, they're beautiful people with massive hearts."
Gateway BEET's Angela Reid said that the centre had received many donations for the family from residents since the fire began and that the community response had been "overwhelming".
Gateway Beet worker Jane Hatteras originally made contact with Issy to discuss what she and her children needed most desperately post-fire and then organised a donation drop-site at the centre for the family.
"Food vouchers, vouchers for the chemist, vouchers for the butcher, the newsagency, IGA, money donations, clothing, bedding, all sorts have been donated," Ms Reid said.
"It's been really good."
Issy was contacted for an interview by the Warracknabeal Herald, however, was unable to comment during this difficult time.
Anyone wishing to donate to the family can do so from Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm at the Gateway BEET Hopetoun centre.