Ex-PM Tony Abbott runs into burning house during south coast horror bushfires
Tony Abbott always plays down his work as volunteer firefighter, but film has emerged showing him running into a burning house to help stop the spread of bushfires on the south coast.
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Dramatic footage has emerged of former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott running into a burning house during a desperate battle to save homes during the horror bushfire emergency on the NSW south coast.
Despite smoke pouring from the roof the veteran volunteer bush firefighter pulled on an oxygen mask and bravely bolted through the front of the house that had caught alight at Bendalong on Saturday.
During the fight to stop flames reaching neighbouring properties, Mr Abbott, who volunteers with the Ingleside Rural Fire Service brigade on Sydney’s northern beaches, was filmed by another firefighter joining his colleagues in an effort to stop the flames reaching neighbouring properties.
He was part of a special Strike Team of RFS firefighters, made up of five tankers from the northern beaches, called in to protect homes in the path of the Currowan megafire at the weekend.
The blaze that hit the popular coastal retreats of Bendalong and nearby Manyana, was on the eastern edge of the giant out-of-control fire burning between Kangaroo Valley, Braidwood and Batemans Bay that has already burnt out about 304,000 ha.
A post on the Ingleside brigade’s Facebook page said Mr Abbott, who has always downplayed his work with the RFS, and other firefighters had to cope with temperatures hitting 45 degrees as well as high winds.
It said that Mr Abbott and the Strike Team were also the first firefighters into Curvers Dr at Manyana on Saturday — and managed to save all its houses.
“Tony used BA (breathing apparatus) on 4 occasions on Saturday including at 2 structure fires,” the post said.
“Great to see Tony working hard as he always does when he volunteers with the RFS.”
The post went on to say that when the fire hit Curvers Dr, “our Ingleside Strike Team Leader and his team, including our former Prime Minister Tony Abbott were first into the street.”
“A number of fire trucks were deployed into the street. Sheds and caravans were lost, but all houses were saved. Temperatures were 45C (113F) with 45km/h hot winds.
“All up, northern beaches put in 9 tankers to Bendalong and Manyana working with local RFS & (Fire and Rescue) strike teams,” the post said.
The Facebook post has attracted more than 200 comments, mostly from people thankful for the efforts of Mr Abbott and his volunteer colleagues.
“Take a bow Tony Abbott. You are a hero just like every man and woman fighting the fires along side you,” one comment said.
“Was never a fan when he was PM but now he’s one of my heroes alongside all involved in fighting these devastating monsters,” another person wrote.
The footage of the former PM risking injury on the dangerous fireground comes as prime minister Scott Morrison continues to fend off criticism of his, and the federal government’s, response to the bushfire crisis.
Mr Morrison had to cut short a family holiday in Hawaii to return to Australian after a barrage of complaints he was not showing enough leadership.
He is also defending the timing of his announcement to deploy military resources to the fire fight.
Originally published as Ex-PM Tony Abbott runs into burning house during south coast horror bushfires
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