Family still smiles after home burns

By Paul Dunlop
A FAMILY who lost everything in a house fire at Tynong is still able to smile.
Ian Allen’s dream home — built with his own two hands — was all but destroyed on Saturday night but Mr Allen said it was family, not bricks and mortar that was most important.
The blaze was fought by fire crews from around the district. Investigators have traced the source of the fire to a freezer inside the house.
Ian and Wendy Allen and their two teenage daughters Naomi and Samantha were away from home when the fire started.
The alarm was raised by a neighbour just before dusk.
Firefighters and tankers from Tynong, Nar Nar Goon, Bunyip and Maryknoll were supported by crews Pakenham and Frankston.
At the peak of the operation, up to 14 vehicles were involved and dozens of firefighters.
CFA volunteers used special breathing apparatus to stave off thick smoke that poured from the house, which was burning fiercely when firefighters arrived.
Tynong fire captain John Glazzard said it was the biggest fire his volunteers had fought in recent times.
He said fire crews fought bravely but were unable to save the house.
They stayed at the scene until the early hours of the morning putting out hotspots.
Mr Allen said the fourbedroom house was begun as a labour of love in 2001 and was “99 per cent complete”.
The Allens’ loss has been estimated at over $500,000.
Mr Allen said many of the items that perished in the blaze could not be replaced.
Family heirlooms from overseas, a china tea set and prized collections of rare children’s books were among the treasured possessions that were destroyed.
The family was still sifting through the wreckage early this week.
Firefighters were able to save precious photographs from burning but the Allens have been left with little else but the clothes on their backs.
“It still hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Mr Allen said.
“I’ll sit down at some stage and have a scotch and a cry.
“At the moment I’m still running on adrenalin.”
Mr Allen designed and planned the unique, openplan house, which he said had been built ‘millimetre perfect’.
He was thankful the house was insured and said it was ironic that it had been designed to survive bushfires.
The flames spread into the roof, with the smoke visible from a long distance away.
The Allens moved to Tynong from Rowville after a painstaking search for the perfect block of land.
They are now staying with relatives and were planning to continue with a holiday at Rosebud this week to help come to terms with their loss.
“I was happy with it, it was a beautiful house,” Mr Allen said, but emphasised that it was only a roof over their heads.
“Nothing is as important as family.”
Mr Allen paid tribute to the firefighters, who battled the flames as well as friends and neighbours who had been so supportive in the wake of the incident.
“I want to thank everybody who has been there for us,” he said.