Indian migrant Prince Randhawa (his given name) and his family have lost most of their belongings to in a fire that destroyed their rented house in Mackay in Queensland.
The 33-year-old moved there with his wife Wilson Randhawa and three children from Brisbane last year in the hope of finding work there.
“I moved to Mackay after I met with an accident while driving a taxi in Brisbane. I can no longer drive a taxi and was hoping to start afresh there,” Mr Randhawa told SBS Punjabi.
Fortunately for the family, they were all out shopping when the fire broke out and completely engulfed their house last Saturday, destroying nearly everything they owned, except a few clothes and two dogs that the neighbours were able to salvage.
“We were out just 45 minutes and noticed fire engines and were wondering where they were off to.. Soon after, the police called us and said our house was destroyed in fire,” Mr Randhawa’s wife Wilson said.
With no place to live, the local community extended a helping hand and provided them food while they stayed at a motel for nearly a week.
Prince Randhawa has now moved back to Brisbane where he has a few friends who are supporting him and also raising funds online to help the family rebuild their lives.
“We have lost almost everything and don’t have any money to buy the stuff on our own. You can understand, it’s pretty difficult at the moment, especially with three young kids,” Wilson Randhawa said.
The couple has two daughters who are five and two-year-old and their son is just eight months old.
The family said they were extremely grateful for her efforts and all that were helping them.
Mr Randhawa was to start a job as a security guard on the night their home was destroyed. He says he and his wife are now keen to start working as soon as possible to get back on their feet.
