‘It’s devastating’: Ferocious fire leaves Tara family with nothing

A ferocious bushfire ripped through Mitch Kelly’s cherished family home of 27 years, leaving the longtime Tara locals with nothing but ash and rubble.

Mitch Kelly has lived in his home at Tara for more than 27 years, and in an instant it was gone.

It was where he raised his children, watched them swim in the dam and ride motorcycles, but the two-storey house on Chinchilla Tara Rd was reduced to a pile of rubble when he returned for the first time on Friday.

He’s one of at least 32 people who have lost their home in the devastating bushfires which raged through the Western Downs this week, and continue to burn, threatening more homes.

Two people have died on the fire grounds, and more than 20,000 hectares have burned, as crews relentlessly battle more blazes which have popped up day after day.

Mitch Kelly’s son comforts him. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Kelly, who was about to retire to his Tara property, was in hospital for heart issues when the fires began this week and had no time to grab any of their belongings.

Family tried to rush to the house to save what they could, but it was too late.

Mr Kelly was not insured and he and his wife, Jacqui, lost everything.

“It’s pretty devastating,” Mr Kelly told The Courier-Mail from his property.

The ferocity of the fire collapsed the double-storey house, destroyed a shed, melted tanks, solar panels, and everything inside.

The only thing left standing was a stone fireplace among the rubble.

Mr Kelly bought the property in 1997 and spent many years making it his castle.

The former volunteer firefighter for more than 10 years found out his house was gone when he saw an aerial view of the wreckage on the news.

Mitch Kelly lost his house in the Tara fires. Picture: Liam Kidston

“It’s not your Gold Coast home or anything, but it’s nice and relaxing. It’s our home,” he said.

“We put a lot into it. The kids have been running around the yard over the years, that’s the reason why we lived out here, just the serenity … kids swimming in the dam, riding motorcycles.”

Mr Kelly’s son, Tom, surveyed the damage of their family home with his dad and siblings, saying the place was particularly special for one reason.

“Lot’s of good memories here. I’ve got an older brother, he passed away in this house.

“I wasn’t expecting this.”

Tom could see the smoke billowing from his workplace, more than 10km away, but didn’t realise the fire had taken the house.

“On the day we could see it all coming … it all started south and we didn’t really think too much of it,” he said.

“The wind was sort of going the other way and then overnight it went up.”

Mitch Kelly lost eveeything in the Tara fires. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Kelly’s partner, Larissa Gardener, says the family would do anything to help someone in need.

“They’re all about family, very family oriented and would help anyone out, so it’s just heartbreaking.

“They’re about to retire, they wanted to retire out here, they’ve got four grandkids so farm life was really big for them.”

Ms Gardener has set up a Go Fund Me for Mr and Mrs Kelly to help them after the tragedy.

“I definitely know they need support, they really deserve it.”

Mr Kelly is able to stay with his son at Chinchilla, but said there were others who weren’t so lucky.

“I’m devastated for the community, but I’m not the only one suffering at the moment. A lot of people need the exposure.”

Donate to the Go Fund Me here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/x7raqv-the-kelly-family?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

Tom Kelly comforts his dad Mitch Kelly who lost his home in the Tara fires. Picture: Liam Kidston