Canberra Raiders fan Scott Gerhardy shocked by support following Lake Albert house fire

The Gerhardy family were on holidays when their fun was suddenly cut short after learning their Lake Albert home was destroyed in a blaze in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Emergency services were called to the Dalkeith Avenue home at 4.30am where crews spent almost four hours trying to contain the blaze.

However, the home was totally destroyed and with it, more than two decades worth of precious Raiders memorabilia that was turned to ash.

Die-hard Raiders fan Scott 'Scoota' Gerhardy started his footy collection in the early 90s, but built his "stadium" to his favourite NRL team on October 3, 2004.

"When mum and dad told me [about the fire] I was dead inside. It was like someone hit me in the heart and it was gone," he said.

But two days after the tragedy, Canberra Raiders stars Elliot Whitehead, Jack Wighton and Jarrod Croker sent a special video message to their superfan, telling him to "keep strong".

Wagga residents also rallied behind Mr Gerhardy by parting ways with their spare Green Machine gear.

It was an act of kindness that overwhelmed Mr Gerhardy, who lost "special jumpers and footballs" that were signed by many Raiders players.

"It was amazing. I didn't expect it. It felt like I was reborn again," he said.

"It is fantastic to have the community behind you and if the shoe was on the other foot we would be helping them out."

While his family lost everything to the fire, Mr Gerhardy said he was grateful that they were safely away from the home when the fire started.

"Thankfully we weren't in there and we are still here today," he said.

"It is not about your football clothes, but that we are still alive. You only got one chance at life and you got to cherish it."

Wagga residents wanting to donate Canberra Raiders memorabilia can do so by contacting the Wagga police station on 6922 2599.

A Go Fund Me page was also set up on Monday with the hope of raising $10,000 to help Mr Gerhardy replace his beloved footy possessions.