A family of five have lost everything after a fire destroyed their home, including priceless photos of their two sons who both committed suicide.
Rocked by the deaths of Clinton and Jordan only 17 months apart, Peter and Janine Huntly were living with their daughter, Shona, and her special needs children.
On January 15, as the family slept in their home in Ballarat, Victoria, fire broke out in the garage at 7am and soon spread throughout the single-storey property.
A family of five (pictured, from left, are Janine, Riley, Shona, Kade and Peter Huntly) were crushed when a fire tore through their home
The Huntlys lost almost everything they own when their home (pictured) went up in flames
Rocked by the suicides of Clinton and Jordan only 17 months apart, Peter and Janine Huntly were living with their daughter Shona and her special needs children (pictured is the scene of the fire)
The family fled onto the street while their possessions went up in flames, saving little more than the clothes they were wearing and the family dog, a Maltese named Thai.
A couple of days later tragedy struck again when Thai was run over and killed by a car outside the home where the family had taken refuge.
Shona’s children, 13-year-old Riley and 10-year-old Kade, both suffer from autism and depended on the dog for emotional support.
They also lost toys required for the same reason, and the family lost precious photographs and mementos of Clinton and Jordan, who died in 2003 and 2005.
Megan Huntly said her parents Peter and Janine have never asked for anything from anyone, but since they were uninsured she is trying to raise money to help them.
She has started a GoFundMe page and is setting up fundraising events in Ballarat, including a movie night on February 25.
On January 15, as the family were asleep in their home in Ballarat, Victoria, when fire broke out in the garage at 7am and soon spread throughout the single-storey house (pictured is Megan Huntly)
Pictured is Kade, 10, with the family dog Thai who was tragically hit by a car and killed two days after the fire
The family fled onto the street while their possessions went up in flames, saving little more than the clothes they were wearing and the family dog, a Maltese named Thai (pictured is the scene of the fire)
Shona Huntly’s children Kade (pictured, left) and Riley (pictured, right) lost school supplies and precious toys in the fire
Pictured are the Huntlys’ adult sons Jordan (left) and Clinton (right) who committed suicide 17 months apart
‘They tried to fight the fire for 20 minutes but it got out of control, Dad was spraying it with the garden hose trying to put it out,’ she said.
‘The whole street was clouded with thick black smoke, it started in the garage we think, and the whole house will have to go.
‘We went back but just dry-retched continuously once we got inside – it’s not livable because of the smoke damage and will need to be taken to the tip.
‘My parents have been through so much, so much devastation, it’s hard to even explain or put into words.
A couple of days later tragedy struck once more when Thai was run over and killed by a car outside the home where the family had taken refuge (pictured is the scene of the fire)
Riley and Kade lost Christmas presents, electronic games, computers they had bought for the new school year and school supplies (pictured)
They also lost toys needed for the same reason, and the family lost precious photographs and mementos of Clinton and Jordan (pictured is the scene of the fire)
‘How much suffering can one couple go through?’
Riley and Kade lost Christmas presents, electronic games and computers they had bought for the new school year.
Much of what was lost cannot be replaced, like family photos, but Megan is hoping the family can raise enough to buy necessities like bedding and clothes.
‘Losing the photos of Clinton Jordan, losing all the memories, the boys’ toys, all their clothes, you just can’t even remember everything that has been lost.
Shona’s children, 13-year-old Riley and 10-year-old Kade, both suffer from autism and depended on the dog for emotional support (pictured is the scene of the fire)
She has started a GoFundMe page and is setting up fundraising events in Ballarat, including a movie night on February 25 (pictured is the scene of the fire)
‘Entering the house now is just heartbreaking, it’s like an overpowering trail of sadness, the devastation left behind.’
Megan has raised $20,000 so far out of her $50,000 goal and said she has been moved to tears by the response of the local community.
Neighbours gave the family food, water and clothing immediately after the blaze, and since then hundreds of people have donated money.
‘My parents have always been givers, they are not materialistic, they they need help getting their dignity back, they have been left with nothing,’ said Megan.
Megan Huntly’s GoFundMe page can be found here, and is regularly updated with news on the family’s situation.
Much of what was lost cannot be replaced, like family photos, but Megan is hoping the family can raise enough to buy necessities like bedding and clothes (pictured is the scene of the fire)