By Dominique Tassell
Local Doug Birthisel lost all his belongings after his Glen Aplin home caught fire on Thursday 9 June.
Doug left his home on Emu Swamp Road for work at 5:30 am and neighbour Markus Repo noticed the fire at 3:45 pm.
Normally, plenty of people would be around to help in this situation, but the majority were away that day.
“It was the one day that no one was around,” Doug said.
When Markus noticed the smoke, he called land owners Jacqui and Martin Heppleston to ask if they were backburning, and when told they weren’t home he went down to check on everything and found Doug’s house ablaze.
While the home couldn’t be saved, Markus managed to save Doug’s dog, Sheba.
Sheba is doing well, and Doug said she’s definitely a trooper.
Two months ago, Sheba had two cancers cut out, but is recovering well.
Doug rescued her after his dog passed away a year ago, and said he wanted to give her the life he had promised his old dog.
Doug is immensely grateful for everyone’s help and said he’s grateful in particular for Markus’ help.
He joked he would be seeing him on Tuesday afternoon to buy him a beer.
Doug has been renting the house for only a short time, and landlord Jacqui Heppleston said he’s a “lovely young guy”.
Jacqui and Martin both said he’s been a great tenant and neighbour.
While Doug has found another place to stay until his old home is rebuilt, he did lose all his belongings.
Doug had no insurance, and he said it’s often not something you think about until something like this happens.
Locals have come forward to help him with his immediate needs, like work clothes.
Debbie Wilmot from Gracious Giving has said she is happy to have donations dropped off to her, while donations from those in the Northern end of the region can be dropped into the Warwick & Stanthorpe Today office on Palmerin Street.
The Rotary Club of the Granite Belt will be offering their new storage shed to store furniture for Doug.
Donations of furniture items can be organised through Debbie Wilmot.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Queensland Police Services (QPS) has been on site but stated on Monday that the fire was not suspicious.
A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) spokesperson said they were alerted to the fire just before 4 pm.
Four crews arrived on the scene, with the first ones arriving just after 4 pm.
Smoke was issuing from the structure when crews arrived.
The spokesperson said that significant damage was observed when crews arrived, and the left-hand side of the dwelling was fully burnt out.
They reported that QPS, Queensland Ambulance Services, and Ergon were on the scene.
The fire was extinguished by 5.30 pm and left in the hands of QPS.
Investigations are ongoing.
