A young Berrigan family has escaped unscathed following a house fire that tore through and engulfed their home in flames.

District firefighters responded to a structure fire call at 6.44am on Sunday.

Upon arrival at the Shand Rd property, the large rural homestead was well alight.

It had already started burning the home when Dylan Sibraa woke to organise a bottle for his son.

He could hear crackling coming from the “older part of the house“.

At first, Dylan thought the crackling may have been rain hitting the windows.

Upon further investigation, he spotted the fire in the other part of the house and quickly sprung into action.

It’s a case of sheer luck, given the older part of the home is not fitted with smoke alarms.

Dylan first alerted his wife, Maddie, instructing her to get the kids up and out of the house.

Dylan ran to the yard to grab a hose, but it had little impact on the blaze.

After calling Triple Zero, Dylan reached out to his farmer neighbours for help with any water tanks or pumps.

One neighbour responded immediately, arriving with two 1000 litre vats of water.

Dylan had called his former boss Noel Baxter, who arrived soon after with his 30,000 litre water pump.

Dylan, Maddie and their two children were able to evacuate uninjured, but they had no time to salvage many of their belongings.

“I was just stood there, in complete shock, watching once the fireys arrived,” Dylan said.

Berrigan’s Rural Fire Service brigade and the Berrigan Fire + Rescue NSW brigade were assisted by other fire agencies from across the district to battle the blaze.

It included the Tocumwal and Jerilderie RFS, and Federation Support from Corowa who were equipped with breathing apparatus.

Between them they had seven RFS tankers, two FRNSW fire rescue pump trucks and more than 40 firefighters. Two group captains were also on site.

The structure was damaged beyond repair, with the family unable to salvage more than a few small mementos.

The blaze was officially declared under control at 10am Monday.

Some small flare ups have been reported since then, with firefighters closely monitoring the blaze site.

Federation group captain Greyd’n Davis wanted to stress the importance of community in times like these.

“It was a real community effort fighting the blaze, and it makes a difference for us with that extra bit of support“ he said.

Community support has also flowed in for the Sibraas since the fire.

“We’re just so overwhelmed by the outpouring of support,” Dylan said.

“It really has been overwhelming, seeing, hearing and feeling all the support from the community.”

The Sibraas are staying with family until a rental becomes possible.

Their friends have started a Go Fund Me page to assist the Sibraas to get back on their feet.

Community members have also donated clothing and other items to the family.

“All the donations and support are greatly appreciated,” Dylan said.

“We just just need somewhere to put the clothes and donations we’ve received.”

The Sibraas specifically thanked Finley Community Church, Dawmac Berrigan, Finley Apex, the farmers who helped fight the fire, and all the people who have worked behind the scenes to raise funds and support for the family during this difficult time.

To make a donation to the Go Fund Me page, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/maddy-and-dylan.

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Sunday, 3rd December 2023

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