Epping: Fire destroys Davission Street house

UPDATE: A family of 10 lost their rental home in Epping on Thursday morning when a fire broke out in the ceiling cavity. 

Emergency services were called to Davission Street home about 8.40am.

According to Mill Park sergeant John Liddell, tenant and mother of eight Helen Topal had dropped some of her children at school before returning home to find flames coming out of the bedrooms.

She alerted her partner Mustafa Topal and called for emergency services. 

According to the Country Fire Authority’s district 14 operations officer Steven Pitcher, four crews and members from the MFB battled the blaze.

“Firefighters arrived to find the single-storey brick veneer home completely engulfed by flames,” he said.

Mr Pitcher said the family hadn’t fitted smoke alarm.

“The simple fact is only working smoke alarms save lives,” he said.

“Whether you’re renting a property or own your own home, there’s no excuse to be without one.”

The fire was brought under control within half an hour. But the blaze raged for long enough to completely destroy the home and singe the neighbouring weatherboard house’s side wall.

Sergeant Liddell said a lack of wind meant smoke shot up into the sky and was clearly visible from a distance.

“It was pretty intense,” he said. “The whole house is gone.”

He urged homeowners and renters alike to fit smoke alarms and ensure their batteries are changed regularly.

Some homing pigeons and the family dog were unharmed.