It was supposed to be his dream home after a particularly tough few years marked by death and challenge.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
But on Saturday morning, Kyle Howland barely had minutes to grab some clothes and run with his 12-year-old granddaughter from the blaze that destroyed his relocatable home at Lake Bathurst.
Fire crews were called to the Glenoval Road property, some 40km southeast of Goulburn, at 7am.
They managed to drag away a 4WD vehicle but could not save the cladded home that Mr Howland had only shifted into four weeks ago and was setting up as a permanent residence.
The 64-year-old lost everything, including photos of his late wife, Kathryn, her jewellery, home contents, wallet and cards, mobile phone, computer and outside tools and machinery.
"It's what was inside that's killing me," Mr Howland said this week.
"My wife's wedding ring was there. I won't give up on trying to find it. I just can't believe it all."
The house was uninsured as it hadn't secured final council approval. But the community has rallied, with a family friend starting a Go Fund Me page that has raised $15,480 of a $25,000 goal.
Mr Howland's daughter, Kelly Ware, of Buxton, said people had donated up to $1000 each. Others had given clothing and Goulburn Country Motors had offered the use of a vehicle.
"He's completely overwhelmed by people's generosity," she said.
"...He didn't expect it but he's the type of person who would do anything for anyone. A lot of money has come from complete strangers."
It's welcome solace following the traumatic events of Saturday morning.
Mr Howland said he had just emerged from the shower, heard the smoke alarms going off and saw the house filled with smoke.
"I can't get that vision of seeing the flames roaring. I knew it was all over. I thought how, why?" he said.
"The windows were popping and if it had been another minute we wouldn't have got out."
He only had time to don his granddaughter's track pants, get her out and try to fight the blaze with onsite water. Discovering the fire had destroyed the pump, he ran barefoot to a neighbour's house for help. No one was home but when he arrived back, police were on scene and fire crews soon after.
They extinguished the blaze several hours later. Paramedics treated Mr Howland for smoke inhalation but he and his granddaughter were not injured.
His son, Kurt, arrived from his Windellama home within hours.
Mr Howland said it was Kathryn's dream to move from their Douglas Park home of 20 years. As he described it, they had money in the bank, were "on top of the world and just wanted to kick back" at a new home in the country.
They looked for months but in August, 2019 Kathryn was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He cared for her at home in her final weeks, at the same time looking after his two grandchildren, of whom the couple had custody. Kathryn died in April, 2020, aged sixty-one.
But the truck driver of 40 years held firm to the ideal. Last October he bought the 11-hectare Glenoval Road block overlooking Lake Bathurst and set about the long process of establishing a relocatable home. Mr Howland also juggled travelling back and forth from Goulburn for his granddaughter's schooling.
It was almost a fully "functional house," complete with solar system, when the fire struck on Saturday. The cause is still under investigation.
"I feel ripped off," Mr Howland said.
"I don't know if I'll rebuild. If I had the money I would but I haven't decided anything."
He told The Post he certainly didn't expect people to donate cash and was grateful for the clothing people had given. His granddaughter's school community and RFS members have also contributed.
He and his grandchildren are living temporarily with his son at Windellama.
Mr Howland said he was contemplating resurrecting his truck driving business to survive.
"It's been a nightmare," he said.
"I can't sleep...I wake up and can still see those flames in the living room...I still have to go back and sift through everything."
Kathryn's wedding ring is the first item on his priority list.
- People who wish to donate can do so through the Go Fund Me page at this link.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark our website
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking news and regular newsletters
Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
