’Heartbreaking’: Hinterland couple praying home dodged destruction

A Beechmont woman and her husband were given just 15 minutes to pack up and evacuate their home when an uncontrolled bushfire threatened to destroy the hinterland town - and their first thought was to help their neighbours.

A BEECHMONT woman and her husband were given just 15 minutes to pack up and evacuate their home when an uncontrolled bushfire threatened to destroy the hinterland town.

Instead of collecting their belongings when the alarm was raised overnight, Esterina Segade, 54, and her partner rushed to help a neighbour flee the blaze wreaking havoc across the Scenic Rim.

RESCUE CHOPPER’S JOURNEY INTO HELL

Beechmont evacuee Esterina Segade, 54, has been waiting to hear if her home has survived a fierce bushfire. Picture: Luke Mortimer

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The couple live on Akoonah Dr at Beechmont — about 2.5km from Binna Burra, where about 10 homes have been lost to the fire.

“We got notice. People were doorknocking. We got a 15-minute warning,” Mrs Segade said.

“We didn’t bring anything. We ran and helped others actually.

“My husband helped a family with five dogs, two girls, and brought them to a roundabout to safety while their parents were down at Nerang.”

An emotional Mrs Segade said her “heart is breaking”.

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Fire near the rural town of Canungra in the Scenic Rim on Friday. AAP Image/Regi Varghese

She fought back tears as she explained that the fate of her home remained a mystery.

“We don’t know how our home is,” she said.

“We’ve asked all the questions. We’re very worried.

“We don’t know anything at the moment and we’re trying to find that out right now.”

Mrs Segade spoke out while attending a community meeting at a temporary Refuge Centre set up by Scenic Rim Regional Council at Moriarty Park, Canungra.

“We’ve actually run to our son’s house at Yarrabilba and we’re staying there,” she said.

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A bushfire raging in the hinterland has left a thick blanket of smoke over the Gold Coast. Picture: Dirk Klynsmith/dirkklynsmithphotography.com.

“We’ve come back (to Canungra) today to find out information and know what’s going on with our home.”

Queensland Police Chief Superintendent Ben Marcus said officers would be in touch with Mrs Segade and others at the meeting still in the dark about whether their homes are standing.

Supt Marcus warned residents against returning to their homes on Saturday if they had been evacuated.

He said authorities were still assessing the situation and were worried scorched vegetation and high winds could lead to trees falling.