NSW fire emergency: Owen Whalan, who was comforted by PM in Taree, forced to flee again

Days after being evacuated from his home on the NSW mid north coast, Owen Whalan has had to flee once more.

Owen Whalan, pictured with one of his beloved border collies, left, and with the Prime Minister on Sunday. .

The elderly man who became the face of the NSW bushfire crisis after being pictured in tears with Scott Morrison has been evacuated from his home for a second time.

Owen Whalan, 85, broke down as the Prime Minister embraced him at a Taree evacuation centre on Sunday as he struggled to come to terms with the fact he may have lost his home of 50 years.

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Mr Whalan and his wife, Catherine, returned to their home at Koorainghat on Tuesday morning, but the trip home was a short one. They were forced once again to seek shelter as an out of control bushfire again threatened to engulf their community.

“We were just praying as Christian brothers,” he told The Australian from Taree RSL.

“Apparently everyone saw that picture, I’m the dishevelled-looking old character and he is the ­better-dressed one.

“But we were just going to pray and I believe in the power of prayer and it’s what has kept my family safe”.

Owen Whalan at his home near Taree on the mid north coast region of NSW. Picture: AAP

Together with their daughter Wendy, son-in-law Jamie, 16-year-old grandson Lachlon, and of course their beloved four border collies, the Whalans packed their white sedan and left their house behind.

“We are feeling pretty beat, worn out, and it’s absolutely devastating,” Mr Whalan said.

“But we are alive and we have no injuries.”

Mr Whalan was eating a steak at the RSL on Tuesday when The Australian called.

He said he had found a safe place to stay for the night and his biggest concern now was for the welfare of his dogs.

“I’ve got my working dogs with me at the RSL and I need to find a place for them to stay,” he said.

“It’s easy enough for all of us, but it’s really the dogs I’m worried about.”

But by the time Mr Whalan had finished talking to The Australian on Tuesday night, he said he thought he had found a safe place for his dogs.

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