A young Moss Vale family has been dealt another blow after their home was gutted by a fire.
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Jessica Parker, Scott Dumughn and their children Lachlan, Kody, Harmony and Jorden lost their home, a car and all of their possessions in a blaze that destroyed their property on January 26.
Since the fire, the family has been robbed, had their young daughter’s front window smashed in, and their fire-damaged car dented and the number plates ripped off.
The inside of the family’s house was completely gutted and all of their possessions were either destroyed or damaged by smoke.
Three Fire and Rescue crews attended the scene, including Moss Vale, Bundanoon and Bowral.
The cause of the fire was an electrical fault and it was determined the fire was not suspicious.
There was nothing the family could have done to save the house.
The fire could not have come at a worse time, with the couple’s four young children due to return to Moss Vale Public School the following week.
Ms Parker said the family was in shock when they found out about the subsequent robberies and property damage.
“It just doesn’t make sense. You’re heartbroken, you feel sick waiting for the insurance company and they’re coming in, taking things and smashing things,” she said.
“Your children have lost everything and these people are going in and doing that.
“Ninety-nine per cent of the community has been wonderful, then this little part of the community does this. You think ‘the hide of them’.”
Since the fire, there has been an outpouring of support and well wishes from the community to the family.
This includes from Mr Dumughn’s place of work Align Construction and Engineering, that offered money and a car to loan.
Moss Vale Public School also donated school uniforms and shoes to the children.
Additional strong support for the family came through social media, with a donation drive run by family friend Krystal Turner.
Family, friends and strangers have approached the Moss Vale family with several offers of money, gift vouchers, clothing furniture and other household items.
Ms Parker said she could not express her gratitude enough for all the support.
“We do appreciate this more than words,” she said.
“I really want to thank the whole community,” Ms Parker said.
“Krystal Turner was amazing. On the night of the fire, she waited with us for the whole night and we were out there for five hours.
“She was great with everything, people dropped clothes off at her home.
“If it wasn’t for her, I don’t think [the community support] would’ve happened so quickly.
“My husband’s bosses and colleagues have been wonderful. They don’t have to help us, but they’ve loaned me a car.
“It’s impossible to get back to everyone right now but we want everyone to know how grateful we are.”
Moss Vale Public School principal Susan Hilliar said she was pleased to see the school and wider community rally behind the children and their parents.
“Jess and her family have been humbled by the generosity of the school and wider community, offering support and assistance for this devastating time,” Ms Hilliar said.
“As principal it heartens me to see the community leaning in to support a family very much in need, with particular focus on helping the children to get back into their school routine.”
Ms Hilliar said emergency awareness was a part of the school’s curriculum.
“It’s important to always talk to children about the what-if scenarios,” she said.
“In this case, these kids have been very resilient. We’ve been really impressed with the children and their parents.
“Kids will always learn throughout the school year about all sorts of potential dangers such as bush fires, house fires as well as how to cross the road and the importance of wearing helmets. It’s all part of keeping them safe.”
The family is currently waiting to hear from their insurance company.
If you would like to make a donation to the family, call Moss Vale Public School on 4868 1866 to discuss this with administration staff.
