Cranbourne family Vince, Karen, Rebecca, Gemma, Jacob and Billy Dyball have thanked the community for their overwhelming support after fire destroyed their home last week.By Alison Noonan
A CRANBOURNE youngster has been hailed a hero after rescuing his grandmother from their burning home.
Jacob Dyball, 10, has proudly worn his plastic gold “hero” medal to school everyday since the fire that destroyed the family’s Darcy Court house and almost claimed the lives of his mother and nan.
The blaze broke out just before 5.30pm last Monday and left the young family of six with nothing but the clothes on the back washing line.
It is believed the fire was started by three-year-old Gemma Dyball who had been playing with a pilot lighter.
Jacob’s father Vince praised the actions of his “brave little champion”, who managed to escape the inferno and break through a locked security door to save his grandma.
“My father died last month and we were moving my mother in to live with us,” Mr Dyball said.
“I was on the road moving boxes and my wife was outside when the fire started.
“It only took five minutes for the flames to take over the house. My wife managed to get the kids out but lost my mum in all the smoke.”
Mr Dyball said his mother, Patricia, was unfamiliar with the layout of the house and struggled to find a way out through the thick black smoke.
He said Patricia felt her way to the front door only to discover it was locked.
“She tried to kick the door down but couldn’t get out.
“Jacob saw her kicking and ran around the side to the front. He grabbed the door, bent it and pulled her to safety. It’s just amazing. I don’t know how he did it.
“He just said to me he didn’t want his gran to burn.
“If it wasn’t for Jacob I would have lost both my parents,” he said.
Mr Dyball said Christmas would be a difficult time for the family, who is currently living in temporary housing in Frankston.
“I have no idea what we are going to do for Christmas. We have just had a terrible time lately,” he said.
“We only have this emergency housing for two months and I am not sure what we are going to do after that.
“My wife is distraught because her father had left the house to her when he died.
“It was a legacy for the kids and now it is gone.
“All our memories and possessions that can’t be replaced.
“But at least we have each other,” he said.
Rangebank Primary School welfare officer Allan Tibballs said the school community had banded together to help the devastated family.
“Jacob and Gemma attend the school so we want to do everything we can to help them.
“They have been so overwhelmed by the donations they’ve received so far. They just keep crying.
“We are calling on the community to get behind them and give them a brighter Christmas,” he said.
Mr Tibballs said the school was accepting donations of clothes, cutlery, vouchers, toys and other basic household items. However, he said he could not accept cash donations.
Anyone wishing to donate to the Dyballs’ appeal should contact Rangebank Primary School on 5996 8900.
