Panic as residents desperately try to flee giant fire

A Peregian resident has spoken of the terrifying moment he realised he had to abandon his Peregian home to escape a massive bushfire.

HUNDREDS of people have been evacuated as a fast-moving bushfire sweeps through beachside suburbs on the Sunshine Coast.

A dozen homes have been destroyed and there are reports of other buildings, including a petrol station and a sewage treatment plant, going up in flames.

FIRST PERSON: WHAT I GRABBED FROM MY HOUSE AS I ESCAPED FIRE

Residents have spoken of the panic they felt as they realised they had to abandon their homes.

Inside the Peregian firestorm

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Survivor Harry Bryant was with police earlier on Monday evening as they went desperately door-to door trying to get Peregian residents to leave.

“It just happened so quickly,” Mr Bryant said.

“It just came across the top of the hill through the scrubland.

Fire and Rescue teams fight a wild bushfire as it approaches Peregian Beach township on David Low Way. Picture: Lachie Millard

“I was in a police car with them as they went trying to talk people out of houses who wouldn’t leave.

“One street we were in five or six houses went up.”

Mr Bryant fears he’s lost everything in his flat to the flames and is spending the night at a Noosa exact centre.

Bushfire approaching the pub at Peregian Beach township. Picture: Lachie Millard

Peregian fire survivors Peter and Suzanne Johnson grabbed there dogs Geordie and Kirra and fled the flames.

Andrew and Suzanne Johnson with their dogs Kirra and Geordie at the Coolum Surf Club after being evacuated from their home. Picture: AAP Image/Josh Woning

Suzanne saw the fire warning online before looking off their Tern St back deck and seeing the flames marching across the bushland behind the coastal committee.

“You could see it going across the hill,” Mr Johnson said where they were sheltering at the temporary Coolum surf club evacuation centre.

He said they were waiting for dawn and hoping to be allowed back in to their home - if it’s still there.

“You go back when they let you,” Mr Johnson said.

“Tonight we’ve got to find somewhere to stay.”

Fire authorities said the “hard running” fire started shortly after 4pm but there was only time for one waterbombing run before night fell, grounding them.

A massive ground effort with more than 100 fire fighters were battling the flames as it marched north towards Noosa.