Charger blamed for Gosnells house fire
A battery charger for an electric bicycle is believed to be to blame for a fire which forced two young men to flee a home in Gosnells last night.
The fire destroyed the Chilcott Garden home and almost everything in it, but two pets - a dog and a snake - survived.
Firefighters received a call from one of the men about 8.45pm, shortly after the fire had started.
Ronald, 27, had been watching TV when he heard a loud bang and crackling noises coming from another room.
Picture: Liam Croy/The West Australian
Firefighters told Ronald and his friend, Matt, to get outside and wait for crews to arrive.
Ronald said he grabbed a bucket and tried to fight the fire himself, but his efforts had little impact.
He was surprised by how quickly the flames spread.
"I was out the back throwing buckets of water through the back window to try to contain it," he said.
Picture: Liam Croy/The West Australian
"I got a bit on the floor out but it was up on the walls and the roof by that stage."
By the time firefighters arrived, flames were rising several metres above the roof.
Four fire crews managed to bring the blaze under control by 9.35pm.
It caused an estimated $450,000 worth of damage.
Picture: Nic Ellis/The West Australian
Ronald said although he was disappointed he had lost so much, including TVs, an electric guitar and other valuables, he was glad no one was injured.
A neighbour who watched firefighters battle the blaze, Reg Morel, said he was shocked by its intensity.
He said it showed him how easy it would be to get trapped inside a burning, smoke-filled house.
"It was amazing how quickly it just travelled," he said.
Picture: Simon Hydzik/Seven News
"No one could stop it."
Ronald's friends and family were at the house this morning to offer support and help with the clean-up.
The house is owned by Ronald's elder brother, who has insurance.
He said he couldn't believe how extensively damaged it was inside.
Despite the seemingly limited damage to the front of the house, every room was gutted and parts of the roof were still smoldering.
His partner said she cried when she first stepped through the door this morning.
