mmg.com.au

A meticulously renovated Murchison home has been almost completely destroyed in a fire, but the family is just glad no-one was hurt.

The fire destroyed the rear, renovated section of the home and got into the roof of the original house at the front.

Owner Peter Cantlin said the home was featured in The News 13 or 14 years ago after it was extended and renovated.

The home’s special touches included door handles from a 16th century English castle.

But Mr Cantlin said he was just happy his family was safe, as one of his son’s had been home earlier in the day.

‘‘It’s only a house, we’re just lucky no-one was hurt,’’ he said.

Neighbour Gary Boundy phoned emergency services when his wife told him she had been out the back hanging the washing and could see smoke.

He said he went out the front and saw smoke everywhere and thought he could hear a smoke alarm.

Mr Boundy and his wife said they sometimes looked after the Cantlins’ family dog and immediately went across the road to retrieve him from the back yard and take him to safety at their home.

‘‘He’s done a lot of work on the house and they’re a lovely couple, I just feel so sorry for them,’’ Mr Boundy said.

Four fire tankers battled the blaze after it broke out about 2.45pm.