Just before 10pm the contents of a pot on the stove, which was attended at the time, burst into flames and quickly spread to other parts of the house.

Family members said the pair had been left with the clothes they stood up in and that offers of support would be welcomed.

The mother, a music teacher, who does not wish to be named, said the speed at which the blaze was able to spread had taken her completely unawares.

''I thought it would just be contained to the kitchen and laundry area,'' she said. ''We had no idea it could spread [from the stove] to the living area so quickly.''

At least half the house, which has been placed off limits due to fears of asbestos contamination, has been gutted while the bedrooms are all badly smoke and water affected.

When the occupants rang triple-0 to report the fire they were told to get out immediately. ''They said to keep the phone to my ear and walk outside,'' she said.

The family's dog, a Jack Russell, and a pet bird were scooped up and carried to safety. The cat, which has yet to reappear after all the excitement, left of its own accord. Two goldfish were less fortunate.

Coral Ogilvie, the mother and grandmother of the occupants, said the blaze had come as a terrible shock to her daughter.

Siblings, children and nieces and nephews were all on the scene by lunchtime on Thursday.

Fears over asbestos contamination due to the age of the Community Housing Canberra property limited what could be done.

Family members were not able to enter the house, which appeared structurally sound, and were told they could not remove items that had already been recovered, including some fire-damaged photo albums, pending further investigations.

ACT Fire and Rescue has estimated the building damage at about $200,000.

Family members said Havelock Housing, which administers the Jordan Street home, had indicated replacement housing would be found.

''But we don't know when that will be,'' Mrs Ogilvie said. ''They are staying with me for the time being.''

She said the worst loss for her daughter was a prized Tokai piano that the talented musician had owned for 30 years.

A valuable violin also went up in smoke. ''We bought that [the violin] in Tasmania,'' Mrs Ogilvie recalled.

As of Thursday afternoon the house's occupants were down to what they stood up in.

''I'm wearing my daughter's clothes,'' the mother said.

If you can assist, call Rowena on 0421 959 558