TRAGEDY STRIKES: Heartbroken Mother Escapes House Fire that Claims Life of Disabled Daughter, 30, on NSW Mid North Coast
- A devastating house fire in Bellingen, west of Coffs Harbour, has left a mother grieving the loss of her 30-year-old daughter, who lived with a disability.
- The 78-year-old mother miraculously escaped the blaze, but her adult daughter’s body was found inside the two-storey home.
- Police and Fire and Rescue are investigating the cause of the fire, which is believed to have started in a downstairs bedroom.
A mother’s worst nightmare became a reality when a house fire ravaged her home in Bellingen, west of Coffs Harbour, claiming the life of her 30-year-old daughter who lived with a disability. The 78-year-old woman managed to escape the blaze, but her adult daughter’s body was found inside the two-storey home.
Emergency services were called to the scene at Dillon Close shortly after 5am on Tuesday, where they found the house engulfed in flames. Despite their best efforts, the fire proved too intense, and the 30-year-old woman’s body was later discovered inside the building.
Coffs Clarence Police Inspector Peter O’Reilly said the fire was believed to have started in a bedroom on the ground floor, and a thorough investigation was underway to determine the cause. “Preliminary examinations suggest the fire has begun in a bedroom on the ground floor,” he said. “We will work through the day to determine the cause of the fire.”
In a heartbreaking development, police had contacted the deceased woman’s family, including her siblings, who had visited the scene. The incident marks the third deadly house fire in NSW since last Friday, with 29 fatalities reported so far this year, compared to 25 last year.
FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry expressed concerns about the rising number of house fire fatalities and emphasized the importance of working fire alarms. “It’s a combination of things,” he said. “Working fire alarms are so important. They save lives.”
The devastating incident has left the close-knit community of Bellingen reeling, with many paying tribute to the young woman who lost her life. As the investigation continues, the community comes together to support the grieving family in their time of need.