In the early hours of Sunday morning, a Narraweena family home on Ronald Avenue, holding 40 years’ worth of memories, was completely destroyed by a fast-moving fire.
The three occupants, parents in their sixties, Janet and Graham Walker, and their daughter Jacelle, made it out alive and well, but with literally only the clothes they fell asleep in and the one mobile phone they grabbed on the way out which they used to call emergency services.
“They came out with just what they went to bed in,” Sally, their eldest daughter, told Manly Observer.
“They didn’t have shoes. One neighbour brought a robe for my dad to wear because he was in his pyjamas.
“They don’t have any cash and can’t access it without their bank cards, which were destroyed in the fire, and they can’t get bank cards without ID, and their passports and birth certificates were also destroyed, so we are trying to figure out how to get those.
“Their cars were saved, and they’re out the front of the house, but every single car key was inside the home and destroyed, so they can’t use their cars.”
Janet and Jacelle are staying with Sally, while Graham is staying with another daughter in her home until their insurance kicks in, which according to Sally, will take time.
In the interim, family members are rallying around Janet, Graham and Jacelle, and are asking the community to help them get back on their feet.
“Neighbours were being really lovely and bringing over bottles of water, and someone brought over some shoes, but my parents and sister have nothing, except what they were wearing,” Sally explained.
“Family have been really great and giving them cash for groceries and to buy some clothes, but they really need help.”
Janet’s sisters, Kenny and Kelly have set up a GoFundMe for anyone who can help. If you can help, please go here for more details.
What happened?
The fire broke out at 4am on Sunday, 15 March 2026, and quickly engulfed the family home and threatened neighbouring properties.
It took twelve trucks and 50 Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters to contain the fire, including the Ladder Platform truck from Manly station to fight the fire from above as the roof collapsed.
Initial reports are a mobile phone left on charge had started the fire; however, Sally told us that wasn’t entirely correct.
“My sister has one of those fire-safe power boards, and each power point on the power board has a switch and she was using three out of the five, one to charge her phone,” Sally said.
“She woke up to sparks flying out of all three power points and ran to my parents to get my dad’s help. He told her to grab her phone and call Triple 000. By the time she went back to her room, there were flames and the smoke was so intense. So, she ran back to my parents; by this time the house fire alarms were going off, and my mum grabbed her phone and all three of them got out of the house.
“While my mum called emergency services, my dad and sister tried to fight the fire with the garden hose but had to give up because it was so intense. They ended up being taken to hospital for smoke inhalation but were released a couple of hours later and given the all clear.”
Sally said she received a call from her mum just after 4am, and as she approached Narraweena 20 minutes later, she could see flames reaching above people’s rooftops. One firefighter told her he couldn’t believe how intense and fast the house went up.
“My parents are the type of people who help everyone, especially my dad. He’ll help everyone else first and then look after himself,” Sally added.
“My dad is an SES (State Emergency Service) volunteer, and they were scheduled to have training on Sunday, and while he was standing at the front, watching his house burn down, he was so worried about letting them down and not attending the training.”
Sally also recalled how, almost 15 years ago, a house on the street was engulfed by flames with two disabled residents inside.
“My dad ran in and got them out, that’s the type of person he is, so to have this happen to anyone is awful, but to have it happen to people who are always there for their community is even worse,” she said.
Sally said she’s so appreciative of the close-knit community rallying around her family.
Early Tuesday morning, the fire reignited after a hot spot came into contact with a chemical (possibly a chlorine bottle). It was quickly put out and firies used a thermal gun to ensure no other hot spots remained at the site.
If you are able to support the Walker family during this difficult time, please go here for the GoFundMe details.
