The Gunning RFS responded to fire in Grovener Street, Gunning on Christmas Day at about 12.50pm.

"We arrived at the structure and the house was fully involved in fire," a Gunning RFS spokesperson said.

"All persons were accounted for and the fire was contained by 3.30pm."

The sole occupant of the house was Matushka Helen Slade, the widow of Fr Seraphim Slade, the first Australian Aboriginal Orthodox Priest.

A member of the Russian Orthodox Church told the Goulburn Post that Fr Seraphim Slade ran an English-speaking mission from Gunning. He passed away on December 25, 2018.

Read also: House fire in Gunning

"He was the first and only Indigenous priest. He did a lot of work for many years in the Aboriginal community," the spokesperson said.

"He passed away on December 25, 2018. He had been running an English parish mission from a chapel at Gunning at the back of his house, catering for those new to Orthodoxy in an English-based service.

"The custom is on the one-year anniversary of a death that we pray the liturgy in that chapel.

"On December 25 this year, on the first anniversary of the repose of Fr Seraphim Slade, the chapel and house burnt down.

"Liturgy was served and all present left to go to the cemetery, about 10 minutes out of town for the Memorial Service for Fr Seraphim Slade.

"On the way back they observed smoke and when they arrived found the building in flames."

The Church spokesperson said a Go Fund Me page has been set up for Matushka Helen Slade.

Click here to access the Go Fund Me page

"Please pray for them all. Any donations to help Matushka during this difficult time will be greatly appreciated," the spokesperson said.

The Church spokesperson also said they don't know how much of Mrs Slade's things had survived the blaze.

"She is a widower, who lost her husband a year ago on the same day. She has lost her home and most of her goods.

"She is with her family in Sydney, but she wants to come back to live in Gunning at some point.

"In the meantime, although she was specific about not wanting any collections done for her, the church has decided to do so.

"She is a very private person, but she will need to rebuild her life."

The Go Fund Me page has already raised over $5000.

"We will also be taking a collection plate at services in Canberra on the weekend of January 4 and 5 as well," the spokesperson said.

"On the day, her neighbours saw the fire at the back of her house and they jumped in and put hoses on it. They all came out and did whatever they could to assist.

"We can not send a big enough thank to the members of the RFS and to these neighbours."

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