Cr Joanna Gash said she was particularly moved when she heard of the plight of Rex and Carol Cluff and how their Cavanagh Lane home was gutted by fire.

At the time Mr Cluff was in Sydney, where he was receiving treatment at the Prince of Wales Hospital, after suffering a broken neck in an accident at Dapto earlier in the year.

He had also been battling prostate cancer, while Mrs Cluff had been suffering heart problems.

Any move to activate the fund has to go before council, with general manager Russ Pigg calling a meeting of SES, Fire Control, certain councillors and community members next week.

“I was extremely concerned that the Cluffs may not have been insured, but thankfully they were,” she said.

“While we may not be able to help on a financial basis, there are other ways we may be able to assist, such as with development application charges, dumping fees, clearing of the site etc.

“They may be insured but something as devastating as this, with everything else the family has been through, some sort of help needs to be looked at.

“There are so many worthy causes, but when I heard their plight, we have to be able to do something and I think the community would agree.

“This community is incredible, they come together to help. People rally, not only here but down south, and are really amazing.”