Fire steals clothes from family

Fire destroyed clothes belonging to Grace Castleton and her kids (from left) Clyde, Holly and Emily.

Rob Williams

A SINGLE mother of three children under five has lost most of her possessions after a fire in her Riverview Housing Commission home.

Police said the fire started in the house in Brian Street about 9.45am yesterday after Grace Castleton took her children to play at a park.

While she was away, a scented candle overheated, fell onto a pile of clothes on the floor, smouldered and burnt through the floor.

Ms Castleton said she had lived in the house for about two years and now shared it with her children Emily, five, Clyde, two, and Holly, one.

Ironically, she had been preparing to move out of the house before yesterday's fire.

“I was arranging a house swap but that fell through over the weekend. I had all the clothes and everything packed up ready for the move,” Ms Castleton said.

“I was on my way back from the park with the kids when Housing called about the fire. It was a big shock. We didn't have much possessions or clothes so whatever is in there is all we've got. We're still waiting to see if we can go back in or if we'll have to find somewhere else to go.”

She said she always left scented candles burning in her home and was stunned it had caused the fire.

“It hasn't been a problem before, only this time,” she said.

Riverview police beat Senior Constable John Morrisey said it appeared the fire was the end of an unfortunate series of events.

“If nothing else it might be a timely reminder not to leave candles burning,” Snr Const Morrisey said. “They say they can burn for 18 hours, but you can't just leave them.

“The saving grace is the whole place is locked up so the fire was starved of oxygen. There's a lot of smoke damage though and all the clothes are gone.”

Can you help Grace, Emily, Clyde and Holly? Email Peter.Foley@qt.com.au or call 3817 1746.