Darren Meeng stands among the remains of the master bedroom in the family’s house that was gutted by fire on Saturday.By Sarah Schwager
FIRE destroyed a Pakenham home on Saturday that had just been sold.
But, the deal has now fallen through because it was not at the stage of being legally binding and the Meeng family is devastated at their loss.
The family will have to rebuild the house, effectively reversing the deal and taking it off the market.
Pakenham CFA captain Vince Ingram said melting fat had been left on the stove while Michael Meeng mowed the lawn.
What started as a small fire on the kitchen stove quickly spread through the roof into the master bedroom, stripping the walls and destroying most of the family’s furniture and belongings.
Capt Ingram said Mr Meeng sustained burns to his arms and legs after trying to throw water over the burning oil and was taken to Dandenong Hospital.
Mr Meeng said he was doing well considering the circumstances.
“I’m alive. I’ve had better weekends though, that’s for sure,” he said.
Mr Meeng said his son, Darren, 25, was at work at the time and had come home straight away.
“His pet fish got boiled. They were his pride and joy. One of them was worth $200,” he said.
“We are just looking for some accommodation at the moment.”
Mr Meeng said in the meantime, he and his wife, Kayleen, and Darren were staying with some good friends in Pakenham until they could sort things out.
“We’re waiting for the report from the insurance company. We don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Mr Ingram said the fire, which started at 9am on Saturday, had virtually collapsed the roof, causing between $160,000 and $180,000 damage.
“The roof is going to have to come off,” he said. “The house will be brought to its shell.”
Capt Ingram said it took the seven vehicles from Nar Nar Goon, Pakenham and Frankston 10 to 15 minutes to bring the fire under control and 90 minutes to mop up.
Mr Meeng’s coworkers at Robert Brighton Automotives in Brighton said they were concerned when he didn’t turn up for work on Monday.
Mr Meeng’s second in charge, spare parts interpreter Robert Chitre, said he was shocked when he heard about the fire.
“He and his wife have only just sold the home,” Mr Chitre said. “It’s such a horrible thing to happen.”
Mr Meeng, who was instrumental in setting up local junior football club, the Officer Kangaroos, said: “The family’s doing well. We just want to let everyone know that we’re okay and thank them for their concern.”
He said Kayleen had been keeping the family together, and their friends had been incredibly supportive.
