The son of an agricultural pilot and aerial firefighter who has spent decades protecting communities says his family is now the one in need of help after a devastating house fire reduced their Serpentine home to rubble.

Firefighters were called to the property on McKay Drive in Serpentine just after noon last Tuesday, where they were confronted by an already out-of-control blaze.

At least 10 crews spent more than two hours bringing the fire under control, but when the flames were gone nothing could be salvaged from the shell of what had been the Long family’s home.

Nick and Robyn Long have owned the property for three years. Speaking on behalf of his parents, their son Sean said the speed at which the fire spread was unimaginable.

“Within about 12 minutes of us first noticing the flames, the whole house was on fire,” he said.

“The whole house is a write-off. Everything is gone.

“All the family photos from weddings, engagements and all of us together were hanging in the hallway. They’re all gone — every single thing. Dad’s pretty sure the cat was in the house at the time as well.”

Sean, a health and safety officer, said he and his brother Chase, a new police officer, were still struggling to come to terms with what had happened.

“Honestly, I’m lost for words,” he said.

“Everything they’ve built together is just gone. All the little mementos and memories — just gone.”

For the past 30 years, Nick Long has worked as an agricultural pilot, helping support Australian farmers during harvest seasons. During the off-season, he serves as an aerial firefighter, battling bushfires across Perth and regional Western Australia.

Sean said it was especially difficult knowing his father had spent years protecting other families from the very tragedy that had now struck his own.

“He’s saved countless people’s homes, and then this happened to him,” he said.

The Long family are now asking for help as they navigate what Sean described as a challenging insurance process while searching for temporary accommodation.

“They’re trying to sort it out now,” he said.

“We just want to get the word out and show the family some support.

“For the last 30 years Dad has helped people put food on the table, and for 10 to 15 years he’s been helping save people’s homes through aerial firefighting. We’re just hoping the community is willing to give a little back.”

A GoFundMe has been set up for the family, people can donate to it here.