Nyabing fire: Barry and Jocelyn Ward lose everything after Richmond Street home catches fire in Shire of Kent

An elderly couple have lost everything after their home burnt to the ground just two days before Christmas. About 9pm on December 23, emergency services were called to a structure fire on Richmond Street in Nyabing in the Shire of Kent. The home — belonging to local couple Barry and Jocelyn Ward — was “fully involved” when firefighters arrived, a spokesperson for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said. The pair were lucky to escape the blaze without injury and were taken to Katanning Health Service at normal road speed to be treated for possible smoke inhalation and minor shock, a St Johns WA spokesperson said. As farmer units and seven volunteer crews from Nyabing, Pingrup, Katanning, Dumbleyung, the Shire of Kent and Boongadoo battled the blaze, DFES told the town’s 260 residents to stay inside, keep their doors and windows closed, and look out for embers on their properties The Shire of Kent’s chief bushfire officer Grant Collins said firefighters were lucky to be met with favourable conditions with the embers falling on the CBH grain bins to the north of the town, rather than residents’ homes. “Because of the smoke, if it was blowing north we would have had to evacuate the town,” he said. Thanks to their efforts, the blaze was brought under control by 11pm. But the home could not be saved. It burnt to the ground along with the Ward’s car and caravan, leaving them with just the clothes on their backs. Now, community members are hoping to raise $15,000 for the couple to provide them with urgently needed essentials and help them rebuild their lives. The Go Fund Me page set up by Natasha Harris describes how the well-respected elderly couple lost everything. “They escaped with only the clothes on their backs,” it said. “Barry and Jocelyn have been cherished community members for decades, always giving with kind hearts and warm smiles.” “Now, it’s our turn to give back.” The fundraiser started on Tuesday had already met its $15,000 goal by Thursday afternoon. Crews remained on site on Tuesday, ensuring the embers were fully extinguished and closing out the fire by the afternoon. DFES said there was no information yet on what caused the fire but an investigation would be forthcoming.