A devastating house fire in the Melbourne suburb of Werribee has claimed the life of a three-year-old boy and left a 40-year-old man with severe burns, prompting an outpouring of grief from the community.
The Tragic Incident
The blaze broke out at a home on Newbury Street in Werribee shortly after midnight on Monday. Fire crews arrived to find the house fully engulfed in flames. Despite their efforts, three-year-old Jordan Dashwood was pronounced dead at the scene. His father, Jeremy Dashwood, was rushed to hospital with serious burn injuries.
Police have confirmed that the fire is not being treated as suspicious, but an arson chemist will attend the scene to investigate the cause. Fire and Rescue Victoria reported that 40 firefighters responded to the blaze, bringing it under control by 1:13 AM after battling the flames for over an hour.
Community Response and Tributes
Neighbors have left flowers and tributes outside the destroyed home, remembering Jordan as a joyful and energetic child. His grandmother, Tracie Long, visited the scene and told reporters, "I just miss that little man already, he's so precious, he was so delightful, he was a bubble of energy." She recounted that the family heard a bang and had to escape, but were unable to save Jordan.
A neighbor heroically ripped a green gate from its hinges to help two other family members—reportedly the mother and an 11-year-old boy—escape the burning home.
GoFundMe Campaign
Family friend Jardine Jackson launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the family's basic needs and funeral expenses. In her heartfelt appeal, Ms. Jackson revealed that the family's two beloved dogs also died in the fire. "It breaks my heart into a million pieces to tell you that sweet, beautiful 3-year-old Jordan, alongside the family's two beloved dogs, tragically lost their lives in the fire. He had so much innocent joy in him, and he absolutely adored his dogs, who stayed by his side and perished with him," she wrote.
Ms. Jackson described the family's grief as "completely unimaginable" and urged the community to come together to support them during this difficult time.
Investigation Ongoing
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Anthony Pearce described the incident as a tragedy and noted that the fire scene remains dangerous due to loose tiles and structural damage. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
The family's loss has resonated deeply in the Werribee community and beyond, with many offering condolences and support through social media and the fundraising campaign.
