Picton home destroyed by fire

A family has been left devastated after a fire destroyed their Harris Road home in Picton on Saturday afternoon.

The emergency call came in at 3.45pm, and even though the blaze was put out within the hour, the home was completely gutted.

Eaton-Australind Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Capt. Matt Stolpenbarg said the service had a vehicle on the road within 10 minutes of receiving the call-out.

‘‘The house was completely engulfed in flames by the time we got there,’’ he said.

According to Australind Police, the property was home to a family of four and four backpackers, but no one was home during the fire.

Australind Police Sen. Const. Neale Horsley said it was their task to contact the family members who were not accounted for.

The fire caused about $500,000 damage and also destroyed a front end loader.

‘‘A kitten, a rabbit and a pond of fish didn’t make it,’’ Sen. Const. Horsley said.

The fire is believed to be an accident that was caused by a slow combustion heater.

‘‘Make sure you turn off all heaters when you leave the house, and make sure there is nothing on or leaning against them,’’ Sen. Const. Horsley said.

Fire and rescue services from Bunbury, Eaton, Australind and Waterloo were called to the blaze on Saturday.

The fire was under control by about 4.35pm.

Capt. Stolpenbarg warned families to be vigilant with fire safety in their homes.

‘‘As always, make sure smoke alarms have working batteries,’’ he said.

‘‘And have a fire plan in place in case of emergencies.’’