SEVERAL neighbours jumped a fence to remove two gas bottles from the backyard of a burning West Wodonga house yesterday.
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And one went to the front door of the house to help the owner and sole occupant, Jeff King, who was hobbling on crutches, to flee the inferno.
The Fade Court house was fully alight when police and firefighters arrived about 4pm.
Dan Seymour was one of six neighbours who saw the flames and rushed to the house to see if they could help.
“We jumped the back fence and grabbed gas bottles,” he said.
“We also managed to rescue a pet rabbit,” he said.
“And we took the dog from the house next door because there were concerns about its safety, too.”
The neighbours used garden hoses to dampen the neighbour’s bushes and a shade cloth.
Missy Seymour said the response of her husband and other neighbours as “heroic”.
“I am proud of him and the other men. It takes a lot of guts to go racing towards a fire.
“It’s great to see everyone came together for the one cause.”
Wodonga Acting Sergeant Surrey Hunter said the house had been destroyed.
“The cause of the fire is unknown,” he said.
“We will have a guard here all night.
“Melbourne arson chemists will inspect the property tomorrow to determine the cause for the fire.”
Sgt Hunter praised the neighbours efforts.
“While we don’t want people to put themselves at risk, it’s nice to see people helping their neighbours at such a time,” he said.
Next-door neighbour Jeanette Steendam said she had rushed home after hearing there was a fire in her street.
“I didn’t know if it was my house, so I just rushed home,” she said.
“I was thrilled that they got my dog out.”
It was unknown last night whether the homeowner was insured.