Tragedy as dad of four William Spitzbart Gourley dies in house fire at Moe

A Victorian community is in shock after a father of four died in a late-night house fire.

William Spitzbart Gourley, 39, died after being pulled from a property on King St, Moe, 130km east of Melbourne, at 11.15pm on Sunday.

Two other family members are believed to have been in the house before it went up in flames.

One woman was uninjxjmtzywured and made the call to emergency services, while a man, aged in his 60s, was flown to hospital with serious injuries.

Supplied Editorial William Spitzbart Gourley was tragically killed in a house fire inMoe on March 6, 2022.
William Spitzbart Gourley was killed in a house fire in Moe on March 6. Credit: Supplied

Tributes have flown for Mr Gourley in the wake of the tragedy, with friends remembering an “absolute top bloke”.

Daniel Avalos Waters said the dad would be missed by his local community.

“Words can’t express how deeply saddened I am by the loss,” he wrote.

“Mate you were an absolute top bloke and you will always be remembered and missed.”

Sammy Falcone also joined the chorus of bereaved voices, calling Mr Gourley “a legend”.

“You will be missed by all your mates and family,” he said.

Supplied Editorial William Spitzbart Gourley and his four children Tamzyn, Matilda,Tyrese and Wyatt. Picture: Supplied
William Spitzbart Gourley and his four children Tamzyn, Matilda, Tyrese and Wyatt. Supplied Credit: Supplied

Mr Gourley is believed to be the father of four young children – Tamzyn, Matilda, Tyrese, Wyatt and Matilda.

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesman said 24 firefighters worked to extinguish the mammoth blaze.

The cause of the fire is still yet to be determined.