The Vacy community has rallied around a family whose Summerhill Road home was gutted by fire.
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Vacy Rural Fire Brigade was the first on the scene shortly before 10am on Friday, January 20 and were joined by crews from Gresford and Paterson, a tanker from Bolwarra, NSW Fire and Rescue and NSW RFS sent breathing apparatus.
Vacy Rural Fire Brigade Captain Peter Williams said no one was home at the time of the fire with the owner and her children returning later to the scene.
“When we arrived the top storey was fully engulfed and the timber floor dropped through to the bottom floor,” said Captain Williams.
“Fifty per cent of the bottom was damaged with some personal effects, although damaged, saved by being under the concrete verandah.
The firefighters had to use caution when ammunition was discovered in the house. Having waited until it was safe to enter, more than two dozen firefighters were able to extinguish the Summer Hill Road fire hours later.
Crews gained access to the property via the lower level garage, where they cut through the door and were able to put out small spot fires.
However, the upper level of the house was destroyed.
Firefighters were still investigating the cause of the fire. It is not believed to be suspicious.
A spokesman for the Rural Fire Service said it was not unusual for rural landholders to have ammunition stored at their properties.
Donations have been flooding in for the family with more than $6000 raised at the weekend including from a raffle at the Farmer’s Hotel. Donations for the family can be left at the Dungog Community Centre, the Vacy General Store or the Farmer’s Hotel at Vacy.
The community has been kept updated with posts on the Vacy, Paterson, Gresford & Dungog Share, Buy, Swap & Sell Facebook page.
“The Grainger family would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank everyone who has offered assistance of any kind since yesterdays' devastating events,” a post on the weekend read.
“At the moment it is unclear what is really needed as some things were able to be salvaged.”