‘They’re all in tears, they have lost everything’
HUNDREDS of Tathra residents spent last night bunkered down in an evacuation centre as a “large and fast running” inferno cut through the nsw coastal town, destroying dozens of homes.
NSW
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A “LARGE” and “very fast-running” inferno has cut a swath of destruction through the tight-knit south coast community of Tathra — with Bega Valley mayor Kristy McBain saying that at least 35 homes had been lost and the local primary school was gone.
Hundreds of residents sheltered overnight in a makeshift evacuation centre at Bega Showground.
And there were grave fears for those still stuck in the town, unable to flee before the blaze leapt across the Bega River.
Just before midnight the NSW Rural Fire Service reported that a southerly change had come through and fire conditions began to ease but warned anyone in the fire-affected area should continue to monitor the conditions and be prepared to enact their bush fire survival plan should the fire threaten again.
Caretaker Peter Coulton said the evacuation centre was “completely packed”.
“They’re all in tears, they have lost everything,” he said.
“It’s completely packed, we’re supplying coffee, we’re supplying barbecue, I’ve lost count of the volunteers here.”
David Porter said his family had “never felt so helpless” after “seeing our street engulfed in smoke and flames”.
►Desperate calls to mum, alone at home in Tathra
►Heroic dad goes missing amid the chaos
Locals were caught unprepared for the bushfire, fanned by gusty northwesterly winds, with fire authorities forced to issue a “too late to leave” alert and warn people to stay in their homes.
Bega Valley mayor Kristy McBain estimated up to 35 homes were lost, with concerns for people still stuck in Tathra as the roads in and out of the town were closed.
“It was a shock at how quickly the conditions changed and how quickly the emergency unfolded,” she said.
She said the reported damage, which needs to be assessed and confirmed by Building Impact Assessment Teams, would hit the community hard.
“It’s hugely devastating to an area like Tathra and the Bega Valley as a whole.”
“The emphasis at the moment is making sure everybody is safe and well.”
She said an emergency evacuation by boat was being worked on for people reported to still be in Tathra.
Photographer Katrina Walsh said the fire hit shops in the main street, including the pub on the headland.
“It was incredible, no one can believe it,” she said. “People reported seeing the primary school on fire.”
Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimons last night said the “large, very fast-running” fire started in Tarraganda, near Bega, but jumped the river.
“From the reports we’re getting it’s really awful down there at Tathra,” he said.
“It’s burned right into the back and all in around the community of Tathra.
“We have reports of many homes being damaged or destroyed. It’s still very dangerous and volatile.”
Local David Porter shared pictures of his smoke-shrouded street on social media, saying his family had evacuated with “nothing”.
“I have never felt so helpless seeing our street engulfed in smoke and flames,” Mr Porter said.
“I’m glad I woke from an afternoon nap and got the family out but we have nothing. Just pray our house is saved when the smoke and fire clears.”
Local MP and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Andrew Constance, who was driving to the area last night, said there was potential for more property loss with the fire still out of control.
“It is one of the strongest and most giving communities I know so obviously we will get through whatever is thrown at us,” he said.
“And I know certainly from the state’s perspective we are there obviously to support the RFS and the council and all our emergency services.”
Bega Valley deputy mayor Liz Seckold was last night at the evacuation centre and did not know if her home had been destroyed.
She said the fire was only two streets away from her property when they raced down the street and told everyone to leave.
“At least we have come away with our lives, that is the most important thing,” she said. “We were having a birthday party at our place and saw a lot of smoke come over.
“We went out onto the veranda and saw a huge amount of smoke behind us and planes and we knew we were in trouble then.”
She said that their evacuation point should have been the Tathra Bowling Club but that was at risk of catching alight.
“We raced down the street and told people to go to the showground,” she said, adding everyone was rallying together and supporting one another.
South East Regional Hospital registered nurse David Lamb reported an influx of fire-related injuries.
“We are crazy busy in the hospital today,” he posted on social media.
“Lots of smoke inhalation cases but no burns so far, thank God. Some of the nurses here have lost their homes but they are still working helping others.”
The Insurance Council of Australia communications director Campbell Fuller last night said the bushfires in Victoria and NSW had been declared a catastrophe.
“We are hearing several dozen properties have been lost,” he said. “Because a catastrophe had been declared, it ensures prioritised claims from losses caused by these bushfires and those claims are also triaged so those with the most need receive promptest attention.”
Earlier the weather bureau reported March temperature records were set as Moruya Airport hit 38.9C.
An RFS spokesman said emergency alert telephone warning messages were sent to people during the height of the emergency.
“Fortunately we don’t have reports of injuries at this stage,” he said. “Crews will be working into the night to contain the spread of the fire ... We will still be working on this for days.”