The shocking item believed to have ignited Aussie family's house
The family had just finished renovations on their home in Perth when it was swallowed by flames.
A Perth family who lost their home to a fire are convinced it was caused by water, and they have backed their claim with CCTV footage.
Footage shows their dog barking at its wooden kennel in the backyard — sensing something was not right — only for the kennel to be consumed by flames within half an hour.
Joel Quioc and his wife believe the jug of water sitting on top of the kennel in direct sunlight is what could've caused the fire that tragically spread through their Ellenbrook home, 7News reports.
"I know it's outrageous but... the sunlight had caught the jug of water and acted as a magnifying glass,” the homeowner told 7News.
"We've just completed renovations as well that took six months and to come home to that was quite devastating."
Mr Quioc's mum was the one to spot the disaster unfolding, when no one else was home, and she called triple-0.
After investigating, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA (DFES) determined the fire started "outside the property near the dog kennel” but the cause remains "undetermined".
"It could’ve been caused by a few ignition sources including electrical devices," a DFES WA spokeswoman told Yahoo News Australia.
Perth family staying in rental
Luckily, the house was insured for damage such as fire. The family have also found a furnished rental to stay in for the next six months as they navigate how to get their lives back on track after the blaze, 7News reports.
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