No 1 IN REGIONAL VICTORIA FOR LOCAL NEWS - FREE EVERY THURSDAY
www.loddonherald.com.au
Loddon HERALD Vol 3 No 23 THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2023 ISSN 2653-1550
CLOSE CALL
Shed fire flames lick home a metre away
Ray McDougall stands in the gutted shell of his shed after fire ripped through the building and threatened his adjoining home. LH PHOTO
VOLUNTEER firefighters have been praised for saving a family home blistered by heat from a shed fire. Ray McDougall was inside the home last Thursday afternoon when he heard an explosion. His went outside to see his workshop, just a metre from the weatherboard home in Commercial Road, Tarnagulla, engulfed in flames.
The former local fire brigade member praised the efforts of current volunteers Kelly Whitton and Cath Horwood-Nichols for saving his home. “They were very professional and knew what to do,” Ray said. “I’ve been to a few shed fires over the years and they certainly got it right. They saved the house.” Ray believes the fire that destroyed his shed, chainsaws and
air-conditioners may have started when he had been sharpening a chainsaw and sparks fell onto an oily rag. “I had gone inside to take a phone call from my son when I heard a loud explosion, the dog started barking and my wife Wilma came in saying the shed was on fire,” he said. “There were more explosions from gas bottles and disused fuel drums.”
Tarnagulla brigade was joined by units from across the district including Inglewood and took several hours to extinguish the corrugated iron shed fire that blistered paint on the adjoining home and charred a tree overhanging the chicken coop. Ray said the chickens were foraging for food in an adjoining yard when explosions started in the shed and “we put the hose on them for protection from heat”.
A Hyundai sedan purchased by Ray four weeks ago as spare parts was also destroyed in the blaze that started about 1.30pm. Ray said the shed had been insured. “The fire brigade volunteers were fantastic and we can’t thank them enough. Their good work saved the house,” he said. “We were a bit lucky,” Ray said.
- CHRIS EARL
“Oozing Charm in an Edwardian classic” 14 Reef Street Wedderburn Excellently positioned in the township centre, original picket fence, 3 big bedrooms with exposed timber floorboards throughout, spacious kitchen/dining area with beautiful ornate ceiling, slow combustion stove/oven and wood fire, Formal loungeroom with fireplace and large split system. Bathroom with separate bath, shower and vanity. Separate laundry in the bathroom entry and external toilet. 1076m2 allotment with front and rear entry, single car garage and enclosed workshop. This fabulous property is ready for its next stage of life. With a full restump just completed now is the time to jump in. Price: $325,000
FP NEVINS DOES NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ABOVE