THE owners of the historic Southampton Homestead, near Balingup, said they were devastated by the news that their home had been destroyed by fire.
My family and friends are devastated at the loss of our beautiful home, Southampton Homestead. The fire started from lightning on the hills above us and quickly progressed down through the valley when the winds picked up early Wednesday morning.
We were on business in London and so unable to defend or assist the gallant firefighting efforts of friends and neighbours, who have put their lives on the line fighting to save our home. We wish to thank them.
As new farmers, we are also deeply distressed by the injuries sustained by the many varieties of animals on the farm and at a dream literally gone up in flames.
We are trying to get a vet in now to assess the condition of the animals while we make our way back to Perth.
Our loss is compounded by the loss to the West Australian public of a irreplaceable historical treasure, the Southampton Homestead, having been founded and constructed in 1859 by settlers who arrived on the first ships to WA.
With the loss of Wallcliffe house to the recent Margaret River fires, we hope this sends a clear message to the state and federal government heritage agencies to act with haste and to provide deluge fire defense systems for the remaining colonial properties before they share out fate.
Jeff Pow,
Southampton Homestead
