Tuchekoi bushfire family loses home to with seconds to spare

A family who faced a quick-moving bushfire at their property had seconds to leave between smelling the smoke and watching the flames move closer.

A family who rushed from a bushfire through their Mary Valley property have told of the moments they watched in horror as their house and granny flat burned to the ground.

Around midday on Saturday, October 28, 2023, a fast-moving fire started alongside Kenilworth Skyring Creek Rd in Tuchekoi at the turn-off to Imbil, 30 minutes south of Gympie.

When teacher Abbey Mowbray and partner Richard Kennedy smelt smoke at their home a few hundred metres downwind from the fire, they “put the boys in the car and the dogs in the ute and got out”.

Abbey Mowbray and Richard Kennedy lost their home after a fast-moving fire came roaring through their Tuchekoi property on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Picture: Supplied

“Between smelling the smoke and the fire burning our house it was half an hour,” Ms Mowbray said. “There was nothing we could do but leave.

“We didn’t have time to get any belongings, shoes, anything like that. I was so thankful we could get the dogs.”

They sought shelter at a neighbours house away from the fire where they stressfully watched their granny flat go up in flames as the fire moved toward their main house.

Abbey Mowbray and Richard Kennedy lost their home after a fast-moving fire came roaring through their Tuchekoi property on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Picture: Supplied

“Richie went back to try to help, but the fireys didn’t come until about 20 minutes after the video (of the granny flat burning),” she said.

The flames soon found their house, gutting the kitchen and leaving the rest of the home with smoke damage, by this time fire crews were working to control the blaze from taking further hold of their house.

That night they camped out in their neighbours property, while Mr Kennedy stayed at the property putting out any spot fires.

Abbey Mowbray and Richard Kennedy lost their home after a fast-moving fire came roaring through their Tuchekoi property on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Picture: Supplied

“His phone was out of battery and I was so concerned for his safety,” Ms Mowbray said.

The fire continued to burn throughout the week with land and aircrews remaining on scene, they managed to return to salvage a few clothes and “some other things, but it is all severely smoke damaged”.

Initial reports on Monday, October 31, 2023 from QFES said the damage to the area was “unconfirmed”.

Ms Mowbray said after pursuing it with police and fire, it wasn’t until Wednesday when a response team came out to check and confirm the damage.

Abbey Mowbray and Richard Kennedy lost their home after a fast-moving fire came roaring through their Tuchekoi property on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Picture: Supplied

The next few months ahead will be tough for the family, both still working full-time, needing to find rental accommodation between Tuchekoi and Cooroy that would suit their two farm dogs, sort through insurance claims, clean up their property, and prepare for their wedding celebrations in March 2024.

The loss of the property was overwhelming, said Ms Mowbray, as Mr Kennedy, a builder by trade, built many of the fences, sheds and structures on the 30 acre property.

The young family recognises they aren’t alone with support from family and friends.

Ms Mowbray sister’s has organised a GoFundMe to help out with initial costs as they pick up the pieces of their home.