The Taylors Creek Road resident had finished breakfast and was sitting in her living room, listening to the radio.

But at about 7.30am she heard an unexpected soft rustling.

At first she thought it was the radio, forgetting the noise.

Her daughter and next door neighbour were in another room of the timber house. The rustling grew and turned into a “funny noise”, but again she dismissed it, thinking it was noise from her daughter.

“It was very foggy, calm and still,” she recalled. “I stood up, looked out of the house, turned to the ensuite and flames were coming out.”

Shocked, she screamed out to her daughter: “Get out, the house is on fire”.

As the two quickly grabbed the pets and called Triple Zero, the living room ceiling had started to collapse.

“There was no time to think whatsoever. We just had what he had and each of us ran out,” she said. 

“We couldn’t even get close to the house. We were standing in the garden, waiting for the brigade.”

Rural Fire Service brigades arrived at about 8am, some 9km southwest of Tarago. They found the structure “fully involved,” a Lake George RFS spokesman said.

Five heavy tankers and several support units, comprising 26 personnel, doused the flames.

Authorities are investigating the cause but it is not being treated as suspicious.

Fire investigators were inspecting the property on Thursday morning. 

“We’re very glad the people are safe and it’s a good reminder to have a fire plan in place, especially during winter,” the spokesman said.

While not speaking specifically about this incident, he said it was important to clean chimneys and ensure electrical appliances were in good working order.

Living in the house for 30 years, Ms Corrigan told The Post more than just a home burnt down that day.

A lifetime of collections, an extensive library, memorabilia and family antiques were destroyed in the blaze.

“The fire burnt fiercely. I appreciate the brigade responding really quickly,” she said.

“They were very supportive... helpful and wonderful.”

News of the fire spread and she was soon inundated with calls from neighbours offering help.

“The neighbours arrived immediately with clothes, because I walked out with what I was wearing. Now I’m wearing a nice warm jumper that was loaned to me,” she said.

“People have been phoning up to see what they can do.”

Now she is waiting for the insurance assessment, and will “go on from there”.

NSW RFS Superintendent Peter Alley said residents should not underestimate the importance of taking precautions regarding home fire safety as the region’s temperature dropped.

“In the event of a house fire, occupants should stay low, leave the premises and call Triple Zero from a safe location,” Superintendent Alley said.

“Being prepared is your best protection against the risk of fire.”