IT was a tough day.
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Steph Marshall and Mark Jeffery spent Friday working out what possessions they could salvage after a fire ripped through the house they rented in Albert Lane, Taree on Wednesday August 14.
"There's not too much left,'' Mark lamented.
"It's devastating,'' Steph added.
They've rented the home for the past eight years. Steph and Mark were at a friend's place, just two blocks away, when they were alerted by neighbours that the house was ablaze.
"We raced here as quickly as we could,'' Steph said.
Taree Fire and Rescue was quickly on site, containing the flames to the front of the house.
Heat and smoke from the fire caused significant damage to the rest of the house.
"The partner of the neighbour's kicked the front door in and tried to put the fire out,'' Mark explained.
"That probably helped contain it.''
Animal lovers, Steph and Mark had pets inside the house.
"We've lost our dog,'' Steph said.
"And birds, mice, fish and a snake... it looks like we might lose a rabbit as well.''
Mark also lost his most prized possessions.
"All my South Sydney (rugby league) memorabilia's gone,'' he said.
"The lot. Even the jumper I had since 1971 when they won the comp.''
"I've lost all my clothes and all the kitchen stuff,'' Steph added.
"I doesn't look as though we're going to be able to salvage too much.''
Steph and Mark are currently staying with friends until some alternate accommodation can be found
A cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to assist the couple.
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