A local Kamilaroi family of five is slowly getting back onto their feet after a fire ripped through their Herbert Street home two weeks ago.
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Rebecca Mills, her partner Nathan, and their three children, Jett, 10, Rube, 7, and Havana, who is just 18 months old, have found themselves a new home through Homes North.
And, now they're slowly starting to rebuild their lives. They've had some household items donated to them, like a lounge, dining table, and beds, but it's only the beginning.
Ms Mills is mostly upset that precious keepsakes such as baby photos and the children's first lost teeth were unable to be recovered after the blaze, but she is extremely grateful that all of her family are safe, including their pet dog, Rocky.
"Everything that we've lost and sentimental stuff, hurts heaps, but if my kids got hurt I wouldn't be able to cope," she told ACM.
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The Gunnedah woman said a small amount of clothes were able to be saved as they were near the front door at the time of the fire, but there's no escaping the intense smoke smell.
"The fire pretty much made a mess of everything except for some washing folded near the door, but the smell of smoke that's in them, we'll never be able to get out," Ms Mills said.
"I don't want my kids to wear clothes with smoke in them and remind them of what happened."
The fierce fire was nothing they ever thought would happen to them, as the family was out at the time grabbing dinner.
"We were only gone 15 minutes, if that. I was in total shock," she said.
Unexpectedly, the family has been supported by complete strangers, through a GoFundMe page set up by family friend, Helen Eason.
The fundraiser, as of Friday afternoon, had reached $5000 of its $10,000 goal.
It's nice to know that there are people out there that are able to give a total stranger money to help.
- Rebecca Mills
Ms Eason, who lives in Sydney but comes from Gunnedah, said locals needed to come together to help the family out.
"Gunnedah is a beautiful little town, but we can come together and make it better," she said.
"We're in a pandemic at the moment with the coronavirus, so for people to be digging in at a time like this, I think it's amazing."
Ms Mills said it was "overwhelming" knowing the support was flowing in.
"They don't even know us, so it's nice to know that there are people out there that are able to give a total stranger money to help," she said.
The money raised from donations will be used to buy groceries, toiletries; clothing and toys; as well as school tuition fees. To donate, head to the GoFundMe page.
The fire is still under investigation by police. Anyone with information is urged to contact Gunnedah police on 6742 9099.