Looters steal cash, charity donations from Terang cafe during evacuations

LOOTERS ransacked a cafe and stole hundreds of dollars — including charity collections — while residents were being evacuated due to out-of-control bushfires in Victoria’s southwest over the weekend.

HEARTLESS thieves stole hundreds of dollars from a cafe as people were evacuating raging bushfires in the state’s southwest on Saturday night.

Cash stolen from the Latte on High cafe in Terang included donations to charity.

Owner Beverley Carroll said her cafe was broken into late at night while locals were busy ducking for cover.

“They smashed in through the back and stole money from the till,” Ms Carroll said.

FAMILIES SURVEY DAMAGE OF DEVASTATING FIRESTORM

ONLY MINUTES TO FLEE HORROR ‘SEA OF FIREBALLS’

Latte on High owner Bev Carroll was robbed during the height of the fire on Saturday night. Picture: David Caird

Heartless looters broke down the back door to steal cash and charity donation tins. Picture: David Caird

Boxes with donations to a range of charities were taken from the top of the cash till.

Leading Senior Constable Lee Thomson said detectives were now investigating.

It comes as communities in Victoria’s southwest were left counting the cost following the destructive fires.

A young couple will spend their first wedding anniversary putting their lives back together after their home was lost in the fires.

At least 18 homes were destroyed in the fires but that number could rise as residents return to their properties.

A shed and ute destroyed by the fires near Cobden. Picture: David Caird

Dairy cattle among burning hay bales on a property near Cobden. Picture: David Caird

A lone sheep walks by a destroyed farm house on blackened ground. Picture: David Caird

People were on Monday seeking shelter at relief centres while waiting to be allocated temporary housing.

And the impact on the area’s farming community is expected to be devastating, with hundreds of livestock lost and more than 40,000ha of prime pastoral and farm land scorched.

Rebecca Jones and her husband, Barney, had just finished renovating their four-bedroom home in Elingamite when it was wiped out during the fires.

“It’s something you can never prepare yourself for,” Ms Jones said.

Newlywed Rebecca Jones sifts through the remains of her newly renovated home at Cobden. Picture: David Caird

The couple had only just finished construction on their home before it was incinerated. Picture: David Caird

Third-generation Terang dairy farmers Phillip, 47, and his father Ian Grummett, 76, lost 57 cows. Picture: David Caird

LENDERS QUITS AHEAD OF ALP RORTS FOR VOTES REPORT

She was scrolling through Facebook on her phone when she discovered a video posted by her neighbour of fires bearing down on their home.

“We felt like sitting ducks,” she said.

It was a call from her father that confirmed Ms Jones’ worst fears before they returned to their property.

“Within 20 minutes, we could see the flames coming to the house,” she said.

The young couple managed to save their pet dog and grab some clothes before retreating to Mr Jones’ father’s home.

A house which was razed by fires near Cobden. Picture: David Caird

Only the chimneys of the house remained. Picture: David Caird

CFA firefighters are still trying to control the fire front near Cobden. Picture: David Caird

The couple was then forced to evacuate to a friend’s house in Warrnambool before bushfires again threatened.

Ms Jones said the community’s help and support had kept the couple going. “We appreciate everything the volunteers have done over the last 24 to 48 hours, fighting fires in their own backyard, knowing their house could be next,” she said.

“Nothing can explain the feeling of losing something you’ve worked so hard for but at least we have our lives.”

Anyone with information on the theft can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppersvic.com.au

[e-mail]