A former champion surfer considers himself fortunate to be alive after his ‘dream’ home was destroyed by fire.
On Saturday night, after a big fire destroyed his home in Byron Bay on the far north coast of New South Wales, Joel Fitzgerald escaped with a few cherished possessions.
Also demolished was the adjacent shaping bay where the renowned surfboard designer made his home.
As he prepares to rebuild his life, the surfing world has rallied around the sad parent.
Fitzgerald has described in frightening detail how the fire rapidly devoured the residence he and his small son Kainoa have inhabited for the past three years.
He also uploaded horrifying footage of the fire engulfing his home and the charred remnants that remained.
A fragmented Joel Fitzgerald and his small son assess the ruins of their cherished house, which was destroyed by fire on Saturday evening.
Fitzgerald stated on Instagram, “The north coast dream was extremely real and I was (grateful) in every way to have this little blue house.”
It is difficult to say goodbye due to the emotions and feelings it evokes.
I never would have left my home on the hill, but it is no longer there.
The primary fire began in the shaping bay, probably due to a malfunctioning electrical box or a blown bulb induced by a power surge.
The fire quickly grew into a big inferno and spread to a neighbouring residence.
Fitzgerald was able to save a burning board, a photograph of his son, and a few other items before his property was completely consumed by fire.
He attempted to save the house with a lawn hose before dozens of firemen arrived, but it was too late.
I was fortunate not to have been killed by the fumes, fire, and exploding glue acetone and surfboard material drums. Fitzgerald recounted, “I saved everything I could in the minutes I had without putting myself in danger.”
The enormous fire (shown) began in the shaping bay before spreading to the residence.
Due to the degree of the fire damage, the blue home of Joel Fitzgerald will be demolished.
Fitzgerald praised the courageous efforts of firefighting crews from Lennox Head, Byron Bay, and Lismore to save his home.
He was thankful that Kainoa had stayed with his mother the night of the fire.
He concluded the distressing post by telling his followers that he and his son were “doing fine” and that they were taking each day and each breath as it came.
“It’s a new chapter now, the end of an era, and the phoenix will rise from the ashes,” he wrote.
As he prepares to begin again, Fitzgerald will take some time off to spend with loved ones and begin replacing lost possessions.
Sydney will continue to serve as his production hub for custom board orders.
Joel Fitzgerald and his son Kainoa (pictured) spent three years playing football down the hall and riding bikes and scooters inside their home before it burned destroyed.
The fire destroyed not only the former surfer’s residence (shown) but also his source of income.
More than $4,000 has already been received through an online fundraiser to assist Fitzgerald in regaining his footing and beginning a new life.
Kye, Joel’s brother, penned, “Joel’s little blue cottage and shaping bay adjoining was the birthplace of so many of Joel’s beloved surfboards, as well as the site of countless memorable family and friend gatherings.”
Fitzgerald is the son of master board builder and Hot Buttered Surfboards founder Terry Fitzgerald. He grew up in Narrabeen on Sydney’s northern beaches. He has traveled the world as a professional surfer.
Three firefighting crews from Lennox Head, Byron Bay, and Lismore were unable to save the home of Joel Fitzgerald (pictured on Saturday night)