Lucky escape

By Bridget Brady
A CRANBOURNE family escaped with only the clothes on their back after their house was engulfed in flames this week.
Tony Donaldson and his three children were woken by smoke alarms about 3am on Monday at their home on Lurline Street.
“We had a TV night and slept in the lounge room and I went into one of the bedrooms and the curtains were ablaze,” Mr Donaldson said.
“Soon the entire room was alight and I said get out. So we ran, and I ran back quickly and grabbed the house phone and called 000.”
Mr Donaldson said he and his children Sara, 16, Jessica, 15, and Michael, 12, escaped just in time.
“Just as we ran out and got to the end of the driveway all the windows started to smash.”
Mr Donaldson said the phone cut out as soon as he had given details about his address and emergency situation.
The fire damaged every room and wall of the house, and all of their possessions were lost, he said.
“The kids are just clinging to me. All we have left is each other.”
He said it was still unsure what caused the fire, but thought it may have been an electrical fault.
The family members are keen musiciansand have lost about $5000 worth of guitars and recording equipment.
Casey Music Centre in Narre Warren donated a Valencia guitar to the family after hearing of the Donaldsons’ misfortune.
Family member Linda Donaldson said she hoped the community would get behind them.
Mr Donaldson said he did not have contents insurance and Christmas would be a struggle, especially finding somewhere for his family and two dogs and cats to live before the house was rebuilt.
“I can’t really do anything special for the kids this Christmas, which hurts. They have lost all of their things, including their phones.
“I’ve not been able to do anything for anyone because I can’t even think about it.”
But Mr Donaldson said, despite his losses, he was glad his children were safe.
“That was the biggest Godsend – that we all survived.”
He said it was terrifying to think of how things could have been if the family had slept in their usual places that night.
“We may have lost one of us. I’m still numb. I don’t know what’s happened, but it’s as if it’s not true.”
Linda Hamilton said the family would appreciate any kind of donation. People can contact her on 0425 744 373.