The church’s moderator, the Reverend Danny Ford, told the Herald Ted was a “much-loved and valued member of the church and wider community”.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with family, friends and us all as we grieve at this difficult time.”
Edward “Ted” Grantham playing the organ at Annandale’s Hunter Baillie Memorial Presbyterian Church.Credit: Hunter Baillie Church
According to the church’s website, the Granthams had six children and 18 grandchildren. Ted had a lifelong passion for music; he composed two operas and held various degrees in music and theology. His wife Anne is also a retired teacher.
Fire crews were called to the Croydon property just after 4am and found the house ablaze, with flames shooting through the roof.
Firefighters escalated the incident to a full emergency response, and six trucks from across the inner west and south-west arrived.
NSW Police’s forensics team on the scene.Credit: Kate Geraghty
A crime scene was established on the quiet residential street, with the police forensics team later examining the site as officers door-knocked neighbours and spoke to possible witnesses.
NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry said the blaze spread quickly and crews were only able to enter the single-storey house from the rear. After firefighters conducted an initial search, the roof started to collapse, fanning the fire further and forcing crews to withdraw.
When the search resumed, Ted Grantham’s body was found inside the house.
NSW Fire and Rescue crews initially searched through the rubble for a second resident of the house, but later confirmed that there was only one casualty.
Aerials show the collapsed roof of a Croydon house after fire tore through the property. Credit: Nine News
Dewberry said the search of the house had been made difficult by the collapsed roof, which made it unsafe for firefighters. The initial blaze took about 40 minutes to contain, while fire crews spent another hour and a half suppressing hotspots.
NSW Police and Fire and Rescue NSW are working to determine the cause of the blaze, with McDonald confirming one line of inquiry is examining whether an accelerant was used.
Dewberry urged everyone to have smoke alarms fitted in their homes.
“As we’re coming into winter, we see more house fires. I’m always reminding people to make sure you have working smoke alarms fitted in your home, and if you need help fitting one, contact your local fire station,” he said.
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