An East Ballina resident says it looked “like a bomb went off” when fire tore through a Merinda Place home on Friday night, destroying almost everything inside.

The blaze, which could be seen from across Ballina, came just hours before local firefighters fronted Fire and Rescue NSW Open Day after spending much of the night battling the fire.

Families arriving at Ballina Fire Station on Saturday morning were greeted by smiling crews, fire trucks and children’s activities, unaware some firefighters had gone almost straight from the overnight emergency response into the community event.

Scott Graham, who lived at the home with owner Francis Curtin, said he was having a beer at the nearby Ballina golf club when he noticed a huge plume of smoke and flames rising over East Ballina.

“I just knew it was Frank’s place,” he said.

Mr Graham said he immediately left the club and rode home, fearing the worst.

By the time he arrived, emergency crews had blocked off the street and the house was already collapsing.

The home in Merinda Place was completely destroyed

“The whole place was just sort of coming down,” he said.

Mr Graham said the fire was so intense it melted household items throughout the home.

He said the pair escaped safely, but most belongings were destroyed.

“We lost it all,” he said.

Mr Graham’s treasured drum kit was saved – thankfully it was in the garage in the opposite side of the home from where the fire is believed to have ignited.

Mr Graham managed to salvage his drum kit from the wreckage, but said almost everything else was gone.

The home owner is understood to have insurance coverage for the property.

Fire investigators are yet to officially confirm the cause of the blaze.

However, Mr Graham said he understood it may have started from a cigarette ember in a bedroom.

“It was just a silly cigarette, apparently,” he said.

Despite the devastation, he said the pair were grateful nobody was killed.

“We’re still alive, which is amazing,” he said.

Firies continue Open Day after long night

The fire came as crews across NSW opened station doors to the public for their annual Open Day.

At Ballina Fire Station, families climbed aboard fire trucks, held hoses and met firefighters while learning about home fire safety ahead of winter.

The timing of the event is planned to coincide with the start of winter home fire danger period to reinforce safety messages around heaters, smoke alarms, electric blankets and lithium-ion batteries.

Michael Miles with open day visitors Remy and Coco

“We always tell people to get electric blankets tested, check smoke detectors and keep things away from heaters,” firefighter Michael Mr Miles said.

Children visiting the station were given firefighter helmets and safety material, while firefighters also shared advice about kitchen fires and free home safety visits.