Ararat Football-Netball Club and Ararat Motorcycle Club have started raising money and collecting donations to help a family who lost everything in a house fire.
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The family of four’s Maroona house was destroyed by fire on Tuesday morning.
The parents and their son and daughter were away from the property at the time.
“Unfortunately, a local family and valued Rats members lost their family home and it's entire contents in a fire,” Ararat Football-Netball Club posted on Facebook.
“We have made a donation through Bekky Davison-Gilbert, U17 team manager and close friend of the family, who has been collecting donations. Please contact Bek directly to make your donation.”
Ararat Motorcycle Club will hold a fundraiser on Saturday.
“We have had some devastating news, very important members from our club sadly lost their home in a fire and lost everything,” the club posted on Facebook.
“This family would give you the shirt of their back, Ararat club would like to try give back to them.
“Anything would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to donate please bring it along or contact the club.”
Country Fire Authority District 16 units were called to the family’s timber weatherboard home on the Mortlake-Ararat Road south of Helendoite Road intersection on Tuesday morning.
District 16 operations officer Neville Collins said firefighters arrived at the property at about 11:25am to find the house fully engulfed in flames.
It took fire crews under an hour to extinguish the fire.
“The house was totally destroyed,” Mr Collins said.
“It was a family residence, I believe about four or five people lived there, but they were all away at work or school when the fire started.
“We had six trucks at the scene and protective equipment from Ballarat City.”
Police and CFA investigators believed an electrical tank-style water heater was responsible for starting the fire.
“The police, both from the Criminal Investigation Unit and uniform, also attended the scene along with CFA fire investigators to determine the cause of the fire,” Mr Collins said.
“At this stage it is believed a water heater unit adjacent to the east wall of the house was responsible for starting the fire.
“The incident serves as a reminder to check your appliances and perform maintenance and upkeep.”