Boy playing with fire destroys family home
A young Victorian family has lost everything in a house fire after a four-year-old boy lit a piece of paper on the stove.
The mum and dad were cooking dinner at the Narina Way home, in Epping, last night when they stepped outside for a cigarette just after 10pm.
That's when their young son used the kitchen stove to light a piece of paper on fire.
He carried the flaming paper to his bedroom, where it spread to a bed sheet and then the rest of the house.
Neighbour Kevin Potter said the boy came running into his house in tears, as the blaze engulfed the property.
Once firefighters had made sure that all three residents had made it out safely, they then had to wear breathing apparatus while attacking the blaze.
The fire spread quickly throughout the roof cavity and despite their best efforts, the home was destroyed.
Authorities have confirmed that no charges will be laid against the boy.
Neighbours said the boy has previously tried to set the house on fire.
"His mum said he's been trying to set the house on fire," one neighbour said.
"The mum was in a panic, she lost a lot of priceless memories.
"She kept saying to the boy 'why did you do it, why did you light the house on fire, we've lost everything.'"
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
Most viewed in Australia
‘Unimaginable loss’: Two children killed in horror crash on the way home from school
Talia and Ebony were physically abused by their mother. Then she was made into a TV star
Blanche d’Alpuget, writer and widow of Bob Hawke, dies aged 82
Justine lost her brother suddenly. Then an unexpected email arrived
