Department of Communities confirms Geraldton house destroyed in fatal fire will be demolished

The Department of Communities has confirmed a State-owned house destroyed in a horrific blaze, which killed a 13-year-old boy and left two other boys with life threatening injuries, will be demolished.

Nine months on from the fire that ripped through a home on Marinula Road in Mount Tarcoola with four teenage boys inside, the building remains fire-damaged and fenced off.

The June 1 blaze exploded throughout the home, leaving three boys aged 12, 13 and 14 requiring urgent medical attention for life-threatening burns. The fourth boy received burns to his hands and was treated in Geraldton, while the others were flown to Perth.

Nulla Mongoo, 13, received burns to 90 per cent of his body and died at Perth Children’s Hospital four days later. His brother, Matt, who was 14 at the time, and the youngest boy, both survived.

The Department of Communities last week confirmed the house was unable to be repaired and would eventually be demolished.

“Due to the extensive damage to the property, it has been recommended for demolition and redevelopment,” the spokesperson said.

The department confirmed it was in the process of requesting quotes to complete the work but a demolition timeline remains up in air.

The tragedy caused shockwaves to ripple through the family-friendly suburb, as stories emerged of neighbours who had rushed to help ease the agony of the injured.

Some recounted how the boys were wrapped in cold towels, doused by garden hoses, or placed in a neighbour’s shower after they ran into the street. Authorities investigated and found no evidence of criminality.

On Friday, March 1, the Mongoo family finally laid Nulla to rest with a short service at the St Francis Xavier Cathedral, with loved ones remembering a caring, gentle, sweet and intelligent boy who had time and patience for everyone.

His mother, Melissa, created a GoFundMe page in November expressing the had family lost everything in the blaze. The page raised $1450 to aid funeral expenses.

The family were relocated to a home last year. In December, Ms Mongoo said they didn’t have much but it was a roof over their heads.

“Matt is home and we have got another house. He still has showers and dressings at the hospital three times a week and goes to Perth for operations every six to eight weeks,” Ms Mongoo said last year.

Ms Mongoo said she was proud Matt was putting his health first and following treatment plans.