Praise for firefighters after 'very fierce' fire destroys Tolland home

Three Fire and Rescue crews from Turvey Park station rushed to the home, on Cobb Street, about 9pm on Saturday and spent four hours putting out the blaze.

Such was the intensity of the fire, crews could see smoke and flames from Bourke Street as they responded to the incident.

The three occupants managed to get themselves out and were not injured.

Firefighters first worked to protect a neighbouring house, with the intense heat causing fears of fire spread.

The owner of that home, Barry Lonsdale, grabbed a garden hose and tried to douse the flames from his backyard but limited water pressure and debris hampered his efforts.

"The police came and asked me to come out the front because it was a bit dangerous out there," Mr Lonsdale said.

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"A couple of [roof] tiles came off and just missed me in the backyard."

The 77-year-old said the flames "travelled very quickly" and were "very fierce".

"It was probably 30 feet and right over our yard. I was very concerned about it getting under the eaves and we'd probably go too," he said.

"They [firefighters] did a tremendous job to save my place."

Mr Lonsdale was yet to fully assess the damage to his house on Sunday morning, but said it was a "bit singed" by the heat.

"We'll take a few lottery tickets I think, because we should have gone," he said.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

The occupants are being cared for by neighbours and friends.

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