Picture: J.L.”FRED” SMITH
QUICK action by volunteer fire fighters prevented extensive damage to a historic Millicent farmhouse on Sunday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the Wyndamere homestead at 2.30pm after embers from a rubbish fire blew into gutters which, in turn, started a small blaze in the roof cavity.
The fire was quickly brought under control with the property owner and Millicent Country Fire Service brigade personnel on the scene.
Police have deemed the circumstances of the fire to be non-suspicious and so a specialist crime scene examiner was not required.
The estimated repair bill is $15,000.
Police and two fire trucks had already been mobilised that afternoon as they had attended a minor shed fire at a house in Millicent’s Fensom Crescent.
Wattle Range CFS group officer Fred Stent said his fire crews had just returned to their Millicent base when they were summoned to Wyndamere.
The stone home on Willowbank Road was built by the pioneering Spehr family in 1927 and features a roofed turret.
Over the past 92 years it has retained a number of its other period features including a return verandah, lead-light and decorative timberwork.
Wyndamere has long passed out of the hands of the Spehrs.
It was the second mishap at Wyndamere in the space of three months as a storm in August caused several mature pine trees to come crashing down.
Meanwhile, Millicent police officer in charge Senior Sergeant First Class Rick Errington has reminded property-owners of the impending start to the fire danger season in the Lower South East.
Sgt Errington said they should take care if they intend to undertake clean-up activities.
“They need to have water on hand and comply with all legislative requirements,” Sgt Errington said.
