JIMMY Webster was just about to change out of his warm-up gear last Friday night when a message was relayed that rocked his world.

Webster was one of three emergencies for last week’s match against Collingwood and was warming up in case of a last minute change.

His number wasn’t called when Lenny Hayes injured his calf in the dying stages of the warm-up but he still received a major surprise when he was told his family home in Tasmania had burned down.

Understandably shaken, Webster flew home the following day to be with his distressed family.

“On Saturday I went to Tassie to see the family and I went to the house and saw it. It was pretty much a shell of a house and everything inside was pretty much gone,” Webster told saints.com.au.

“I was there warming up and the team ran out. One of the other boys came up to me and told me that the house had burned down. He didn’t know how bad it was. I rang dad to see how he was and if everyone was alright. The family is all good. I spent a few days with them.”

Webster’s father Darren was hospitalised overnight for smoke inhalation but he was quickly released from hospital.

“He tried to fight the fire for a little bit and inhaled heaps of smoke. He was in the ambo for a little while with the oxygen mask. He’s all good now,” he said.

The Websters have been taken in by friends before finding temporary accommodation while further arrangements are being made.

19-year-old Jimmy spent several days back home but admitted he felt helpless at hearing the news when he was all the way over on the mainland.

“It was hard. But I’ve got a big family so I knew they’d all be helping out down there. The club was good about it, they sent me down there straight away on Saturday morning so it was good to get down there and see them all,” he said.

“There was no one hurt, that is the main thing. We just lost everything in the house but no one was hurt.”

The news travelled quickly through the St Kilda family and Webster’s phone was bombarded with inquiries from teammates, coaches and staff members hoping to help in any possible way.

“I got a text from nearly all the boys. Scotty and the coaches all called me to ask how I was,” he said.

“They told me to take as much time as I want off, to stay down there with the family. They have been really good. The club sponsors have really helped out with blankets and clothes as well as fund raising. They have been a massive help.”

Webster said he was overwhelmed at the support he had received from so many at the club.

“It’s unreal. I don’t know what to say really.”