By KATH GANNAWAY
ONE of Seville’s earliest buildings was destroyed in an early morning house fire on Friday.
The 1890s homestead in Seymour Street was burning fiercely by the time the Seville CFA units arrived on the scene.
It had operated from 1934 to 1949 by a Mr and Mrs A. Robinson as the Pomona Guest House.
The fire was discovered around 6am when the male owner awoke to find the house ablaze and called triple-zero for help.
He and his partner, who rushed back from work in Melbourne after being notified of the fire, were assisted by firefighters with blankets and some retrieved items of clothing as they stood in the cold.
Seville CFA Captain David Clark said units from six local brigades and the Bayswater Breathing Apparatus unit, were called in to help fight the fire which took about half an hour to bring it under control.
Capt Clark said the house had been substantially built on over the years, but that it was the original section in the middle of the building that was destroyed.
He said while there was extensive damage, and loss of antiques and personal possessions, some furniture and personal effects were able to be salvaged.
“There are quite a few rooms, and all the hardwood timber in the ceiling was burning, and it was quite difficult to get to some of those spots,” Captain Clark said.
“It took a bit to get it completely out, but under the circumstances, was quite a good save to come away with anything.”
The owners looked on in disbelief as volunteer firefighters battled the blaze and then secured the burnt-out building.
They said they were shocked at the loss of their home and a significant part of Seville’s history, but grateful no-one was hurt, and thankful to the brigades.
Brigades from Seville, Wandin, Mount Evelyn, Hillcrest, Monbulk, Hoddles Creek Rehabilitation unit and the Bayswater Breathing Apparatus unit attended.
Capt Clark said the CFA Fire Investigation Unit had inspected the house as part of the standard procedure for structure fires.
He said the fire had been attributed to an electrical fault.
