Trainer's home destroyed by horrific blaze

A MASSIVE fire has destroyed Milbrodale trainer Nathan Anderson's house.

At work in the local mine last Saturday night, Anderson received a call informing him about the blaze engulfing his home, but admits he initially laughed off the news as a prank.

Sadly, the reality was made clear to Anderson, who rushed back to his property to find the ruins of the family dwelling.

"The control room at work got a call that I had to get home because my house was on fire," Anderson said. "But my boss is a bit of a larrikin, so I thought he was having a lend of me because it was only a couple of hours after I started work!

"He then insisted he wasn't joking and I had to leave immediately.

"I rushed home, but it was too late by the time I got there...the house was lost.

"She's pretty much nearly gone with about half my daughter's room is all that's left of the whole house."

After hearing the fire investigater's report a couple of days later, Anderson stated he was grateful his wife, Jo, and their children weren't home.

"My wife Jo, our kids and my parents, who live in a flat on the property, were at Menangle for a night out, which I'm very glad about," Anderson said.

"The fire investigation crew came around and they believe the source of the fire is a TV which melted down.

"They determined the motherboard inside the TV exploded away from the unit and would have engulfed the room in a blaze in no time and said we're lucky no one was home."

In the midst of the "nightmare" Anderson revealed one shining light has given him a greater appreciation of the kindness of others.

"We've had a lot of support and well wishes," Anderson said. "Ian and Jean Hedley, a couple in our town, have been great.

"They have a house for rent up the road and have given us the house and put a bit of furniture in it.

"There has been a lot of help from the community...it has been awesome."