Concrete has been poured at the site of a devastating house fire in Stanwell Park as the Morgan family begins to rebuild their home and their lives.
Six months ago, Rod and Shelly and their young daughters, Ruby and Indi, as well as puppy Ace ran from their Sheridan Crescent property in the middle of the night as fire spread quickly, destroying everything they owned.
They didn’t have building insurance, but had very good contents cover.
Since then, the community, friends and family have rallied, offering everything from meals to white goods, clothes to building materials.
A community demolition day, organised by Dave Tanner and Brett O’Reagan, cleared the block ready for the rebuild.
All donations from a fundraising page set up by Jen Bell will go towards the construction.
“We thought we would have to sell the land and move away,” said Shelly, adding that the support the family had received was “next level” and “never stopped”.
The family has been living in a house on Chellowdene Avenue, which was on the market and empty.
Now that house has sold, the Morgans will move into the ground floor of a friend’s house a few doors away until their new home is finished.
“We’ve been so lucky we’ve been able to stay in the same few streets, especially for the girls’ stability,” Shelly said.
“We have been on an emotional rollercoaster, but have got through it with the incredible support of our families, friends and community, near and far. We feel so wrapped in love.”
Daniel Payne’s Lyfstyle Constructions will build the single-level home and all his suppliers are helping with discounts and in-kind services. Rod said: “We have the most incredible team of people supporting us to rebuild.”
The Morgans would like to thank: Lyfstyle Constructions; Pro Reo; Opteon Valuations; Helensburgh Drafting; Debustudios; Dennis Smith Surveyors; Illawarra Building Certificates; Andy Offord Excavations; Geoff and Brett Blackwell; David Boughton; Glenn Willcox Plumbing; Handyman Timber; Pro Rio Kirrawee; One Stop Roofing Supplies; Baines Concrete.
“We will never be able to thank you all enough,” said Shelly.