Derek Hynd loses house in fire, plus all worldly belongings
Two nights ago, just past the stroke of midnight, a fire broke out in Derek Hynd's house in the Byron hinterland town of Myocum.
The fire razed the house to the ground, though the occupants - DH and his son Lachlan - were safe. A neighbour's dog perished in the blaze.
Also lost was DH's lifelong collection of writing, memorabila, and surfcraft, which considering his role in surfing constitutes an enormous loss.
At least one of the Skip Frye 'Litmus' fish has been lost (the second one may have been spared, its location is TBC), and all Derek's own Friction Free boards were fuel for the fire.
More urgent are necessities such as a water tank, a wheelchair for a friend who lost it in the blaze, plus home computer.
There are currently two crowd funding accounts in operation, one on Facebook, the other on GoFundMe, both are legit.
DH recently survived a bout of throat cancer, an ordeal touched on in the documentary, 'Beyond Litmus'.
Comments
At least no fins were hurt in the incident
probably the shittest gag i've ever heard
Damn, that's a real loss - to the Hynds and to surfing.
Glad to hear everyone's OK.
Sad to hear this, condolences to Derek, Lachie, friends & neighbours. Every time I have talked to DH in the surf he impresses with his keen intellect, questions are probing and knowledge encyclopaedic.
Derek, please use this challenge as a launching pad for another burst of creativity (I'm thinking the boards here) and reflection (perhaps it becomes a focus to record the really important things). Please know that your writings that have been published are valued.
Kind regards, Johnno
+ 1
Terrible news.
The last few weeks have really brought some clarity to the fire danger we're facing this summer, and the steps that need to be taken to minimise the risk.
Must be an awful experience to go through.
Tragic. A blessing that no life was lost but devastating nonetheless.
No human life... But the neighbours dog lost its life
the poor guy! my god that would be devastating. irreplaceable stuff. Bonne courage
Pity about the lost possessions but if you've ever been in the water with the guy....
Derek will rise from the ashes like a Phoenix.
He will be stronger mentally from the trauma.
Life throws some nasty deals to us.
Oz 70's groms were huge fans of Derek's backhand & rad fast lines in big vert walls.
Even still now tbb understands the gravity of loss for Derek & joins with crew!
hillintas is wise & makes a sound point.
Free as birds, we all can fly with or without...rise up stronger in truer infinite form.
Too many options & time is precious. Derek could resurface as a rad bodysurfer!
surfjustsurf.
No insurance?
Correct No insurance
Crowd fund currently at $7500 looking for 20K
Gyngell slipped in a Grand.. On ya Gynge
Donate !
Latest from DH:
Coming onto two weeks since a midnight blaze erupted outside my son Lochlan's room, came into through a gap in the window, dripped onto his modem, shorted out the house, lit up his discs, and within a minute it was about as toxic as a fire ever gets according to the chief examiner. The only certain factor about it is that it started by the unused propane tanks on a still warm smokey night. I'd like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for assistance big and small in a situation that exploded our lives within a minute. The loss of a dear pet still runs deepest. Other than that, buried under soot and water have been found most family photos and letters which is nothing short of miraculous as well as my research of 1000 well known surfers going back to Isobel and Snowy. The lot of them packed small hand into two exercise books from the late 80s. As with most finds, all corners burnt but no further. Still scratching my head about it. Everything else aside from this type of stuff, wiped out. Pity about the Litmus boards and a re chambered balsa pig from Justin Bullock that was the fastest sled I've ever had the pleasure of riding. All things must pass though, right? Again, thank you all so much. Demolition is about to take place ... after the fine clearing is complete. Travelling light now, where to next...
-Derek.
First cancer then this... ya gotta feel for the guy. Hopefully things are on the up for him
Some sort of closure. Written by DH, posted this morning on his FB page.
Dark serendipity.
Today, two years to the day since an arsonist burnt down our family home and killed dear dog Miggsy, loving girl of tenant Mick, the kook will plead GUILTY. This, after four Court appearances and four flat out denials. How did such crime occur? 20 dollars owed to my son that the guy wasn't into repaying. Lit a match at midnight by Lochlan's bedroom window. Five minutes later, the whole works during the driest spell Australia had ever seen was gone. Loch was literally sleepwalking backwards when I found him in the centre of a fireball by his doorway. By the time I pulled Mick out, Miggs' was at a point unknown somewhere in his room in the red darkness. Vale Miggs. And Mick, come back soon, you are very much missed.
Justice.