“After the initial call our mobile just kept beeping with a string of messages one after the other, all with the same message - your convent is on fire.”

Wagin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service officer in charge on the night John Stephens said the fire was reported by a member of the public at 7pm and they were on the scene at 7.08pm.

“Wagin Police attended and secured the scene and kept spectators back so we could do our job,” Mr Stephens said.

“We had 24 firemen from Wagin, Dumbleyung and Katanning on the scene.

“It took us two to three hours to get it under control and then another hour and a half to extinguish it fully.

“There were two sets of staircases inside and they just went up like chimneys.”

Mr Stephens said every hose that all six units had was in use as well as hydrants from three different nearby streets.

“We also used members of the public to go and get hoses and foam from the fire station,” he said.

The quick response allowed the firemen to save most of the rooms and furniture.

“The public were really good – obviously they were curious but they stood well back and didn’t get in the way which let us get on with it,” Mr Stephens said.

Mr and Mrs Lord left Perth early Saturday morning and were expecting the worst as they drove into Wagin.

“We were expecting an absolute shell but we still had a bit of hope when we drove up and saw the original chapel still standing.” Mrs Lord said.

“Alan had restored the chapel with its original ceiling, painted to highlight the patterns and the original confessional and the sacristy where the priests got ready.

“To know that it wasn’t destroyed means so much to us because it is a huge part of the history of the convent.”

Mrs Lord said she and her husband have experienced a range of emotions, from anger to confusion and complete devastation.

“The emotions have been extreme but you have to not let the anger overtake you,” Mrs Lord said.

“We are exhausted and completely devastated obviously and we don’t understand the person or persons who did this.

“When you see your beautiful things in a pile of rubble on the floor destroyed it is pretty hard to see how you will continue.

“It’s a total and absolute sadness.”

What has given the couple hope is the support from the community and the building’s history.

“We know what this convent, our home, means to the community – they love this building as much as we do,” Mrs Lord said.

“Even after this experience we still have faith in human nature and because the community is behind us we have hope and faith for the future.”

Mr and Mrs Lord had nothing but gratitude and heartfelt thanks for all those involved in saving their home.

“There has been a lot lost but there has also been a lot saved and we owe that to the quick responses of all involved – from the man who reported it, to the firemen, police and members of the public,” Mrs Lord said.

“One day we would love to welcome all the firemen, police and everyone who helped back here when it is fully restored and rebuilt.

“That is the hope that will keep us going – keep us looking forward to that day.”

Mr Lord’s original plan was to have a wall in the home dedicated to past students and nuns of the convent.

“Alan wanted to put up old photos and stories acknowledging the history of the convent and he still wants to,” Mrs Lord said.

“If members of the community would like to help in any way we would love any information and photos for when we are in a position to be able to do that.

“We will get there – the building may have gone up in smoke but our dream hasn’t and we will hold on tight to that dream and keep going.”