Guys Forest firefighter George Kucka saved others’ homes while his own farm burned
Before rushing to defend his own home from a massive bushfire that razed his property, 25-year CFA volunteer George Kucka was busy leading a strike team to save the houses of strangers. And he nearly lost everything.
This Herald Sun bushfire article is free to read for all. To support our newsroom and local journalism, subscribe to the Herald Sun here
As CFA stalwart George Kucka was saving the houses of strangers, a massive bushfire was bearing down on his own home.
The 25-year volunteer led a strike team which spared half a dozen homes before racing to his Guys Forest property west of Corryong, where he saw two buildings destroyed.
But he, wife Fiona and their two adult sons — all CFA volunteers too — frantically defended their home from the flames.
However, the 1200-hectare farm that surrounds it is now merely blackened ground.
At least 150 of the couple’s 600 cows perished or had to be destroyed, and there are no fences or fodder for those that survived.
“We were hoping it might miss us but it didn’t,’’ Mr Kucka told the Sunday Herald Sun.
“It was just atrocious. If there was anything in its path it was toast — it was incredible.
“The conditions were the worst I have ever seen — and I have done this for a long time.
“Basically we had to sit there and see the fire go all around us.”
Mr Kucka, part of the tiny Burrowye CFA, was defending properties along the Murray River on December 30 when the enormous bushfire jumped the border.
His five-tanker strike team had to fall back because the blaze was moving too fast, overtaking them and travelling across Mt Alfred — the 5km firefront heading towards Mr Kucka’s home.
It swept through within 10 minutes, a weather station recording a temperature of 53C and 46kmh wind at ground level.
While two farmhouses on their land were now “piles of rubbish” Mr Kucka, 54, said he and his wife of almost 30 years were among the lucky ones as they did not lose their actual home.
Several members from nearby fire brigades lost everything. So too did neighbours along their road.
“There are people who have lost more than me,’’ Mr Kucka, a former pharmacist, said. “At the end of the day everyone survived, and we managed to save the house.”
Mr Kucka and his wife, who joined the CFA about six years ago, felt more determined than ever to help those around them.
Small acts of generosity had also touched them, like the person who anonymously left a $50 note in their letterbox.
“CFA volunteers are not always there and we lose property too,’’ Mr Kucka said.
MORE NEWS
UNSUNG HEROES OF THE EAST GIPPSLAND FIRES
HOW HERO CFA CREWS SURVIVED FIRE TWISTER
“You can’t be everywhere — it’s really hard. People give you sympathy but it’s also brought out a lot of great community spirit.
“Honestly, if you don’t laugh you cry. That doesn’t help anyone. You’ve got to look forward.
“I see the need to help the community. We are there to protect lives and property.”
Mrs Kucka, whose CFA roles have included brigade secretary, said a fellow volunteer likened tackling the bushfire to staring into the face of a dragon.
“What came through here — it was completely beyond what I have ever experienced before,’’ she said.
“It was just so fast and furious. I wouldn’t have wanted to have faced it by myself. I don’t know what would have happened.”
Originally published as Guys Forest firefighter George Kucka saved others’ homes while his own farm burned
New hope for Victoria’s bushfire victims
Prefab homes are set to be erected across Victoria’s bushfire devastated victims while affected families work towards rebuilding their homes following the summer’s horrific blazes.
Inquiry chair sends pointed message on bushfire commission
The Royal Commission into Australia’s horror bushfires begins today, with the chair of the inquiry warning it won’t be looking to “point fingers”, but rather “looking for lessons for the future”.