A Bendigo-based charity that assists people with breast cancer is asking the community for help after one of its properties was devastated by fire.
The Otis Foundation, which provides free short-stay accommodation to people with breast cancer, is looking for a large property in the Bendigo area that could house guests between now and Christmas.
Chief executive officer Claire Culley said the loss of Mandurang property Bramare last week was big.
"We've lost a beautiful property that we could have eight guests in for their breast cancer retreats," Ms Culley said.
"But Bramare has a very special place in our hearts because it was at a kitchen table here that the Otis Foundation actually started 22 years ago."
Legacy honoured
The foundation was established in honour of Judy Burley, who died at the age of 36 after a battle with breast cancer.
Ms Burley wanted other people with breast cancer to experience the peace and comfort she enjoyed at Bramare — the dream home she and her husband, Andrew Barling, built.
Dr Barling founded the charity the same year Ms Burley died, based on her wishes.
The Otis Foundation is Ms Burley's legacy.
Ms Culley said the owners of Bramare were on holiday in New York at the time of the fire.
"I think it will be a very difficult time for the owners because of the memories that were here," Ms Culley said.
"There are the personal memories, but there are the memories of every guest who has come here and those that now aren't going to get to."
Initial explosion
Ms Culley said there were six guests, including children, on a retreat at Bramare on Wednesday night.
"They were having dinner, heard a loud explosion, and then literally saw the fire coming toward them," she said.
Preliminary investigations indicated the fire was caused by a fault in a utility room off the side of the garage before it spread to the rest of the house.
The fire has rendered the rammed earth and glass home uninhabitable.
Country Fire Authority assistant chief fire officer Steve Alcock said the fire damaged 80 per cent of the house.
"The other 20 per cent has some heat and smoke damage," he said.
"The wind and temperature conditions actually pushed the fire from the garage area into the residence."
He said the fire was not being treated as suspicious.
Ms Culley said the guests were incredibly quick-thinking and were able to safely get out of the building unharmed.
"The first responders were amazing," she said.
Ms Culley said two teenage neighbours were among those who rushed to help, as well as the foundation's property manager.
A home for many
Bramare was one of the foundation's largest properties, offering guests the opportunity to retreat with the people who had supported them through their cancer journey.
Ms Culley said there had been more guests booked to stay at the property in the following days, which the foundation was able to accommodate elsewhere.
Work is underway to provide alternatives to other guests who were due to stay at Bramare in the lead-up to Christmas.
"Our property donors have been amazing," Ms Culley said.
She said the Bendigo community's response had been incredible, with people eager to help.
"We've had lots of inquiries. The response to our social media posts have been heartfelt," Ms Culley said.
"If something bad had to happen, I think the Bendigo community is the one that can get behind us and help us to heal."
