Phone call that saved elderly couple’s life

A Sunshine Coast couple were watching television when their worried son called them and told them to ‘look out the window’. It's a call that may have saved their lives.

A PHONE call from their worried son was all that alerted an elderly Marcus Beach couple as the imminent threat of fire was on their back door-step.

Shirley and Kelvin Kirkpatrick were watching television and unaware of the raging bushfire behind their home when their son in Morayfield called and told them to "look out the window".

Mr Kirkpatrick, 85, said the fire looked like a "glowing sunset" behind the ridge on Monday night.

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"It was very eerie" he said.

"We couldn't even smell the smoke, but the fire was huge and we were panicking."

The couple didn't have social media and weren't aware of the fire that sparked up on Monday afternoon.

A monstrous and devastating fire ripped through Peregian Springs, Peregian Breeze and Peregian Beach heading north towards Marcus Beach and Noosa. Photo: Patrick Woods

The Mahogany Dr resident alerted his neighbour who told him to "grab your wife and your wallet and get out of here" about 7.30pm.

Mr Kirkpatrick left his sprinkler running in hope it may help his home survive.

While the pair had endured a similar fire in their 23 years on the Sunshine Coast, they admitted they were worried.

A monstrous and devastating fire ripped through Peregian Springs, Peregian Breeze and Peregian Beach heading north towards Marcus Beach and Noosa. Photo: Patrick Woods

They spent their second day away from home today after finding refuge at The J, Noosa Heads on Monday night.

Mrs Kirkpatrick was worried she may not have a home to return to but was optimistic fire crews had fought hard.

Police remained on guard at the exclusion zones at 7.30am this morning with a decision on re-entry expected to be made soon.

Originally published as Phone call that saved elderly couple’s life