The family, including mother Alicia Harris, father Michael Sant, and their children, were renting a property in Aberfoyle Park when the fire broke out on Tuesday evening. The blaze, which fire investigators determined was caused by a faulty extension cord, destroyed the rental in minutes, leaving the family with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Harris expressed her fears that the rental crisis in Adelaide, which has the lowest rental vacancy rate in the country, could mean they remain homeless for months. She said the family had applied for new rentals a few weeks before the fire, as their lease at the Aberfoyle Park property was ending, but they were rejected for multiple applications.
Sant described the harrowing moments leading up to the fire, saying that his children’s Nintendo Switch charger, which was connected to the faulty extension cord, likely started the blaze. He said the power to the house had cut out just before the fire started, prompting him to check the fuse box. When he returned to the bedroom, he found the bed engulfed in flames and panicked, pouring water on the electrical fire, which only made the situation worse.
In the chaos, Sant managed to find his two-year-old daughter and put her in the car before locating the family pets. He said the family has lost everything, including furniture, toys, and clothes, and is now relying on the support of loved ones and the community.
A crowdfunding page has been set up to help the family cover immediate expenses and find a new home. The family is grateful for the outpouring of support they have received but remains anxious about their future. Harris said she is particularly worried about her five-year-old son returning to school next week without the necessary supplies, which were destroyed in the fire.
The Metropolitan Fire Service has issued a warning to the public to avoid charging electrical devices on combustible items or covering them with bedsheets, as this can pose a significant fire hazard.
