Parents, couple lose properties in East Gippsland bushfires

Two sets of parents and a couple had their Buchan properties wiped out by the fires, but they are considering themselves among the lucky ones as they escaped with their lives.

A family hit three times by Monday’s fires is counting themselves among the lucky ones as out-of-control blazes Thursday night surrounded Buchan.

Just a handful of residents had made it out of the tiny town since the fires struck, with some vowing to stay and defend their properties as the threat intensifies on Friday.

The aftermath of a fire that ripped through Aaron and Donna McCole's 300-acre Buchan farm. Picture: Donna McCole

Aaron and Donna McCole see the destruction caused by the fire that ripped through their hometown. Picture: Donna McCole

Thick smoke was hampering rescue efforts from the air and key roads remained shut.

Up to three homes in Buchan’s main street were destroyed and flames came within metres of the local pub and a general store.

Stock agent Aaron McCole told the Herald Sun fire ripped through his parents’ East Buchan farmhouse while in nearby Sarsfield, another blaze claimed his in-law’s house and adjoining bed and breakfast cottages.

Mr McCole’s parents, Jeffrey and Margie, fled on Sunday with only photos and their birth certificates.

“It was just devastating,’’ Mr McCole said.

“It all happened in a half-hour or so. It was unbelievable. As bad as it is I am pretty grateful — our parents are still alive.”

The remains of Jeffrey and Margie McCole's East Buchan farmhouse. Picture: Aaron McCole

Jeffrey and Margie McCole's East Buchan farmhouse was destroyed. Picture: Aaron McCole

Amid the drama Mr McCole had fire destroy a woolshed as it burnt through 300 acres of farmland at Buchan while he was defending his house at Nicholson about 65km away.

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The Herald Sun has been told a small convoy of people left Buchan late on Wednesday while crews were last night working to restore phone communication with trapped locals driving up a ridge in a bid to call worried loved ones.

Food and water were sent to the area and trucks deployed to shift livestock as extreme heat forecast into the weekend increases the fire danger.