Elderslie family had no hesitation leaving their home and heading to safety as fire approached

Safety was the foremost consideration for Darren Neale and his family as they packed up and fled their home as a “massive billow of smoke” approached.

AN Elderslie father has spoken of how his family fled their home on Monday afternoon as a bushfire nearby burned out of control.

Darren Neale, wife Colleen, and their children Jack, 9, and Erin, 8, packed up the car and went to the Broadmarsh Community Hall where they spent the night.

An emergency warning had been issued for the fire at Pelham, which threatened the Broadmarsh and Elderslie townships.

ROLLING COVERAGE: WATCH AND ACT ALERTS IN PLACE

PROPERTIES LOST IN UPPER DERWENT VALLEY FIRE

GALLERY: FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE BLAZES ACROSS TASMANIA

Mr Neale said the family had no hesitation evacuating their Bluff Rd home and getting to a safer place.

“It was probably about 1, maybe 2pm, we just saw a massive billow of smoke,” he said.

“The wind was blowing our way, and we just decided to get out while we could.

“It’s just safety. There’s no point trying to be a hero or anything, the fire wasn’t actually on us just yet so there was time to get out. You’re just better off getting out of there.”

Mr Neale said Monday was his daughter Erin’s birthday.

Mr Neale spent the night sleeping in the car with the family’s dog Sapper, a kelpie heeler cross.

Darren Neale with family dog Sapper outside the Broadmarsh Community Hall. The family fled their Bluff Rd home yesterday afternoon as fires threatened the area. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

On Tuesday morning, Mr Neale was able to go and check on his property for a brief time, which he said he was relieved to see was “untouched”.

“I think further on than what we are, it was more severe,” he said.

“[I was relieved] the house is still there. There’s a lot of burnt -ut bush between the start of Bluff Rd and where we are.”

After fleeing, he said he was nervous to think what might happen to the family home.

“But it’s in the best hands, you’re better off just getting out of the way and let the fireys do their job, it’s what they are trained to do,’’ he said.

Mr Neale said he did not know when the family would be able to return home.

The Pelham blaze is currently at a watch and act alert level.