Vincent Felix and his wife Marika are re-building their lives after losing their home and belongings in the Narre Warren South fire on Saturday 7 February. 27203 Picture: Luke Plummer
By Kelly Yates
A COUPLE who lost everything in the Narre Warren South blaze say they are ready to stand up again and re-build their lives.
Vincent Felix told the News he was overwhelmed with the support from the community.
The Vincent and Marika Bushfire Appeal was set up last week in an effort to raise money for the couple and a fundraising dance was also held last Friday night at the Hallam Recreational Reserve.
“The support has made us realise we can fight again and re-build our lives,” he said.
“But without the continued support we could never do it.”
Mr Felix and his wife Marika were in their Langbourne Drive home when they first discovered the fire.
“I went outside and saw people running everywhere in the street,” he said.
“Within seconds the smoke got thicker and the smell got stronger. I asked a neighbour what was going on and he said to leave straight away.”
Re-telling the events of the day, Mr Felix admitted that he and his wife weren’t fire ready.
“No one thinks there will be a fire in the suburbs,” he said.
The couple jumped in their cars and drove to a relative’s house around the corner.
Mr Felix ran back to his house but found it completely destroyed.
“It felt like someone had stabbed me,” he said.
Seven homes were destroyed and several others severely damaged after the fire tore through Narre Warren South on Saturday 7 February.
Police said the fire, believed to be deliberate, started along Coral Drive near Ormond Road at 5pm.
The couple are now living in temporary accommodation in Endeavour Hills.
