ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

Pushing his way through firefighters late last night, a local Baby Boomer threw caution to the wind and raced back into his burning Betoota Grove home to save his franking credits from certain destruction.

Roger Allen-Cole, the 71-year-old hero, survived the ordeal but tragically, his franking credits did not.

At approximately 11pm last night, a fire broke out at the Allen-Cole residence on Whiteshoe Crescent, with local firefighting crews arriving on the scene shortly after.

All occupants of the house managed to make it out before the blaze took hold, however, Roger says his most valuable possession was still inside.

Speaking to our reporters this morning in front of the smouldering ashes of his family home, Mr Allen-Cole said he was ultimately glad his wife, son and two grand daughters made it out unharmed but he’s not sure how he’s going to go without his beloved franking credits.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do now. I feel lost,” he said.

“Without that cash injection each year, I might be forced into making changes to my lifestyle that I shouldn’t have to. I’ve paid my fair share in tax, I’ve been lucky in buisness. Why punish me and other people cut from the same cloth as I?’

“My franking credits are more important to me than anything else. More than the environment I’m leaving for my grandchildren. More than healthcare for people less wealthy than me. More than state education. If it wasn’t for our home and contents insurance, I’d be ruined.”

The Network Nine Imparja news team pulled up to the scene and Mr Allen-Cole excused himself from our reporter.

“Sorry, Errol. The news cameras are here and I need to make myself cry before they turn them on.”

Our reporter nodded and patted the economic and social handbrake on the back as he rubbed his eyes furioirsly.

More to come.