HOUSEMATES whose home was gutted by fire on Wednesday afternoon have been left shattered again, returning this morning to discover the house ransacked by heartless thieves.
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Tenant Sam McColl's parents, who own the property, went to the Gillies Street North house today with insurance assessors to discuss the damage caused by the fire, which is believed to have started by an electrical fault, when they discovered the house had been ransacked overnight and many valuable items stolen.
"My dad came about 10am with the insurers and when they arrived they found that the back door was off its hinges," Mr McColl said.
"There's a lot that's been taken, and one of us has lost a lot of their stuff taken.
"We don't think it's happened in the morning because there's a school nearby and someone would have seen something, it's probably happened overnight.
"You just can't understand how people could possible kick you like this when they are down. It's disgusting. The fire was one thing, but we could have restored the house and gone on living there.
"But they've gone through the whole house, even our sock drawers. You just feel so violated. When people do this, they don't think about the consequences."
Property stolen from the property including a gaming PC with header, keyboard and a mouse - steel series, a Playstation 4 with games, a black laptop missing a cover from its CD rom, an old model ftibit, an Apple TV and cash among other items.
A plea for information has been posted on social media and people are being asked to keep a look out for items at pawn shops or at this weekend's Ballarat Swap Meet.
Mr McColl said the four friends were now searching for some new accommodation.
"I'm fortunate I've got family I can spend some time with, but it's not that for everyone," he said. "One of our neighbours has offered a room to stay, but we'll see how things unfold."
Police attended the scene on Thursday and are investigating.
As the burglary occurred on busy Gillies Street North, it is hoped some witnesses would have been in the area and may have seen people in the area.
Anyone with information or witnesses who may have been in the area overnight should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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