Residents believe Buchan fires could burn for months without heavy rainfall

Locals believe the bushfires destroying the tiny town of Buchan could burn until February if heavy rain doesn’t fall soon, given the dense bush which surrounds the community.

Grave fears were held in the tiny town of Buchan with dozens of properties lost and massive fires burning to the west and north.

Residents who escaped before the blaze took hold were desperately awaiting news from loved ones with phones and power in the area down.

A lack of drinking water was also causing concern.

At least 24 structures had last night been destroyed, with the fire lapping at Buchan’s main street.

Main Rd resident Carla Palmer, who evacuated on Sunday, told the Herald Sun: “It’s very, very sombre at the moment.”

“I am just so emotional,’’ Ms Palmer said.

“We do not know if there is any life left out there or what is going on.

“I’m just so sad.”

Dionne Eagleson, whose parents live in the area, said the town was “hit hard”.

“The fire went through the township with some houses lost and the local motel damaged,” she said.

Hundreds of people fled their homes and were sheltering at Buchan’s football oval — sleeping in the social rooms and caravans.

Buchan residents are desperately awaiting news from loved ones as phones and power are down in the small community.

One couple south of the town on Buchan-Orbost Rd, whose four young sons were evacuated to Orbost, sheltered in a vehicle as flames destroyed their farmhouse and sheds.

They tried to defend their property but the blaze was too intense.

Buchan Football Netball Club president Mathew Whelan said: “They were just near a dam in a vehicle and sheltered there.”

“They took refuge and came back and found unfortunately they’d lost everything,’’ Mr Whelan said.

“Everything is burned to ashes.”

Mr Whelan, whose own property at nearby Johnsonville came under attack from spotfires just 200m away, said the fire bore down from the Buchan Caves Reserve.

“If you know Buchan it’s in a bit of a valley and it went up each side of the hills,’’ he said.

“The town did get hit pretty hard.

“It’s pretty heartwrenching to hear it all and see it all.

“There’s still so much fuel in the bush and it’s tinder dry.

“I honestly can’t see it stopping — unless we get massive rains — until the end of January or February.”

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Supplies of drinking water were low with East Gippsland Water ordering customers to restrict their use to essential purposes.

There was also a desperate need for non-perishable food.