Emergency services were called to the McSwain Rd property just after 7.30pm on Friday, and while some parts of the house are not as damaged as others, the family has lost almost all of its belongings and is left to rebuild physically and mentally from the tragedy.
But less than 24 hours later, the youngest of the family, 17-year-old son Liam created a new memory for the family, leading his Bamawm-Lockington United teammates to a resounding nine-wicket A-grade victory over Nondies Cohuna.
The first on the scene on Friday night, Liam regrouped and decided he would play on with his BLU teammates on Saturday, despite having lost his cricket kit in the fire.
He was helped by family members and clubmates, who kitted him out with an uniform and equipment, before hitting the field.
The teen took a catch during Nondies Cohuna’s inning, but it was Liam’s own efforts with the bat where his impact was felt most.
Coming in as the number two batter, Liam partnered with Sandun Ranathunga to bring in an unbeaten half century, and the winning runs for BLU.
Mr Hamilton, who is also the president at BLU, said he and wife Lisa were incredibly proud of the way their son had gone about it on Saturday.
“He did a good job for the team and the family,” Mr Hamilton said.
“And the support he got from the team, to have a good day and contribute to the team, was a pleasing side to it all after an eventful Friday night.
“It’s an exciting but sombre win for us, but I think it shows there is life after an event.”
“That was pretty important for Liam and the family to think, yes, it’s happened, but life goes on and you still need to put your best foot forward in whatever you do.”
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, though it is not thought to be suspicious.
Matt and Lisa Hamilton have lived at the property for more than two decades, with the house the only home Carissa and Liam have known.
Fighting back tears, Mr Hamilton said the shock of the tragedy was still fresh.
“You know it’s reality, but it starts to sink in more once you start processing things and begin moving forward with it,” he said.
“This has always been our home, we’ve raised a family here, but we’ll have to make another.
"The CFA did amazing job of what they could save for us.
“But the kids, they have nothing left of their hard work.
“Myself and Lisa, as parents, while it affects us, you think about your kids because, of all their hard work at school and sports, those certificates, the X, Y and Z, it’s gone.
“But we are very fortunate no-one was injured, we’re all fit and together and we can grieve together.
"What we have we’ll be fortunate to have out of a terrible situation.
“Things happen in life, and we’re still here to become stronger out of a horrific experience.”
Mr Hamilton said the family had already felt the community support on offer as they looked to move forward from their latest “life roadbump”.
“The club (BLU) has been fantastic, and family and friends, and work has been fantastic in such a short period of time,” he said.
“It’s going to be a couple long weeks, but we’ll get through it.”
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