ReptilianGuy
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ash wednesday was a larger area, but didn't move as fast so the warnings were heard... thats what i've been told anyways, wasn't born then
fire!
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I spent five days up in Kinglake, I got to Melbourne a few hours ago. We all survived and had one of the last houses standing. I haven't seen a television for over a week and have just heard what we could on the radio, I'm really not sure what the story has been like through the eyes of the media, but we all know it was an horrific event.
The family's shop burned to the ground, along with the chickens and semi-feral cats (the fires weren't entirely bad!). Noel and Nan's property burned completely out, apart from the house which was saved by the chopper. We were all pretty thrilled to hear about the water bombing!
The scene was one of the most amazing things I've ever lived through; the fire was all around us, there were frequent explosions all around us for a few hours while the front was moving through - gas tanks exploding, cars crashing and exploding, and there were fatalaties all around the area. The hours before the front came through were incredible too, although they seem like a distant memory after what followed. It was a very hot day, and it looked like a large rain cloud was coming in, we looked out the window and realised it wasn't a cloud. The power had gone out, as had the phone, and we had trouble getting information. Everyone in the area was told that the fires were a long way away and were contained. We watched the smoke for a while, then it obviously got going right near us. Very quickly the whole area was covered in smoke, the sun turned vivid red and the land was a strange, eerie colour. Moments later it was pitch black dark outside, at about 4pm on what had been a completely clear day; this was a very scarey moment. We stayed to defend the house, but unfortunately many people in the area panicked and attempted to flee too late. Before the fire had even arrived people were dying on the roads.
Over the following days the mood has gradually lifted though. I was so impressed by the spirit of some of the people. I saw two little girls recognise each other while we were waiting for food supplies in what was left of the Kinglake township, they were happy to see each other and started talking with big smiles on their faces. One said her house had burned down, the other said hers had too. They kept chatting away with big smiles. People whose houses had burned to the ground often had good senses of humour too; there were people who had escaped with the 'valuables' they'd managed to grab. In one case this was some expensive crystal. They'd managed to get their hands on some cheap grog and were merrily drinking it from the fine crystal, sitting in the ash where their home once was, and having a great time! The scenes like that really lifted my sprits after driving through all the devastation. Of course, there were also many people in tears, people with horrible injuries, and people just in shock. You learn so much in an experience like this. About people, about yourself, about priorities and values, you identify or confirm what is really important to you. As horrible an experience as it was, I've come out of it a better person, which is one of the positives.
The loss of the shop is a financial and psychological blow to the family, but we are so happy and fortunate to have all of us still alive, and we even have the family home. Going through this has brought us all closer together than ever, and there's a wonderful, warm feeling between us all.
We are even fortunate enough to have been able to keep the rodent colonies! It was so strange to think that only a few months ago I had been standing in the snow, watching the rodent building and being impressed that they were continuing on with their breeding and playing, completely unconcerned by the cold which apparently didn't bother them. They continued playing etc through the fire too, unaware of the potential danger. Why do I think about the rats so much? Probably because while doing it I'm not thinking about all the dead people.
Thank you to everyone who has given support to the people involved, including all of the communication and well wishes, which are often as important as the food and basic supplies. Thank you to everyone who has contacted me personally and wished me well through it all; it really does help to know there are people who care.
Finally, an apology to the people I was supposed to see over the last few days! To those with rat orders, the cull was done shortly before the power went out and I had to bury them. I would have let you know sooner but it wasn't possible to call. We still have plenty of live rats and frozen stock in a Melbourne freezer (from before the fire) and your orders can be filled by the end of the week if necessary - if you're in a hurry give me a call or SMS and I'll look after you.
The family's shop burned to the ground, along with the chickens and semi-feral cats (the fires weren't entirely bad!). Noel and Nan's property burned completely out, apart from the house which was saved by the chopper. We were all pretty thrilled to hear about the water bombing!
The scene was one of the most amazing things I've ever lived through; the fire was all around us, there were frequent explosions all around us for a few hours while the front was moving through - gas tanks exploding, cars crashing and exploding, and there were fatalaties all around the area. The hours before the front came through were incredible too, although they seem like a distant memory after what followed. It was a very hot day, and it looked like a large rain cloud was coming in, we looked out the window and realised it wasn't a cloud. The power had gone out, as had the phone, and we had trouble getting information. Everyone in the area was told that the fires were a long way away and were contained. We watched the smoke for a while, then it obviously got going right near us. Very quickly the whole area was covered in smoke, the sun turned vivid red and the land was a strange, eerie colour. Moments later it was pitch black dark outside, at about 4pm on what had been a completely clear day; this was a very scarey moment. We stayed to defend the house, but unfortunately many people in the area panicked and attempted to flee too late. Before the fire had even arrived people were dying on the roads.
Over the following days the mood has gradually lifted though. I was so impressed by the spirit of some of the people. I saw two little girls recognise each other while we were waiting for food supplies in what was left of the Kinglake township, they were happy to see each other and started talking with big smiles on their faces. One said her house had burned down, the other said hers had too. They kept chatting away with big smiles. People whose houses had burned to the ground often had good senses of humour too; there were people who had escaped with the 'valuables' they'd managed to grab. In one case this was some expensive crystal. They'd managed to get their hands on some cheap grog and were merrily drinking it from the fine crystal, sitting in the ash where their home once was, and having a great time! The scenes like that really lifted my sprits after driving through all the devastation. Of course, there were also many people in tears, people with horrible injuries, and people just in shock. You learn so much in an experience like this. About people, about yourself, about priorities and values, you identify or confirm what is really important to you. As horrible an experience as it was, I've come out of it a better person, which is one of the positives.
The loss of the shop is a financial and psychological blow to the family, but we are so happy and fortunate to have all of us still alive, and we even have the family home. Going through this has brought us all closer together than ever, and there's a wonderful, warm feeling between us all.
We are even fortunate enough to have been able to keep the rodent colonies! It was so strange to think that only a few months ago I had been standing in the snow, watching the rodent building and being impressed that they were continuing on with their breeding and playing, completely unconcerned by the cold which apparently didn't bother them. They continued playing etc through the fire too, unaware of the potential danger. Why do I think about the rats so much? Probably because while doing it I'm not thinking about all the dead people.
Thank you to everyone who has given support to the people involved, including all of the communication and well wishes, which are often as important as the food and basic supplies. Thank you to everyone who has contacted me personally and wished me well through it all; it really does help to know there are people who care.
Finally, an apology to the people I was supposed to see over the last few days! To those with rat orders, the cull was done shortly before the power went out and I had to bury them. I would have let you know sooner but it wasn't possible to call. We still have plenty of live rats and frozen stock in a Melbourne freezer (from before the fire) and your orders can be filled by the end of the week if necessary - if you're in a hurry give me a call or SMS and I'll look after you.
They bought in new laws a couple of yrs ago, and any death related to an arson caharge is now murder, with a sentance of 25 years for each death
FROGGIESrCUTEo_O
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They bought in new laws a couple of yrs ago, and any death related to an arson caharge is now murder, with a sentance of 25 years for each death
Yeah but sadly they never get charged :evil:
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Sidonia
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Been watching slide shows and news reports on news websites and YouTube. It's just insane what has been happening with the fires. It would just be devastating for everyone down there having to live that.
I just seen this video saying how the fire is a good thing and that other countries hate Australia and stuff, lol.
The level of ignorance sometimes is just pathetic.
For obvious reasons I wont link it. No use giving them their views and letting them get a rise out of people (so people who do go out of their way to search it please keep it to yourself).
But on the brighter side it's uplifting to see how much support is going to the people in Victoria.
The people on the metal forum I frequent are in the middle of organising a benefit gig in Brisbane for the fire victims. I will post details of it once it has been fully organised.
I just seen this video saying how the fire is a good thing and that other countries hate Australia and stuff,
lol. The level of ignorance sometimes is just pathetic.
For obvious reasons I wont link it. No use giving them their views and letting them get a rise out of people (so people who do go out of their way to search it please keep it to yourself).
But on the brighter side it's uplifting to see how much support is going to the people in Victoria.
The people on the metal forum I frequent are in the middle of organising a benefit gig in Brisbane for the fire victims. I will post details of it once it has been fully organised.
Sidonia
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/12/2489493.htm
Two suspects have been taken in. No charges have been laid.
Two suspects have been taken in. No charges have been laid.
Drazzy
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My family minus me reside in Mansfield which is 5 km from the fire(s) and about 20k from the main fire, It is a little insulting that people think fire is a good thing.. maybe labeled as a natural occurrence in Australia as many of our native flora is adapted to fire season.
Anyways, it is a little questionable on the topic of natural occurrence since a lot of the fires in Victoria are man made..
Yesterday there was an accidental fire lit by someone operating power tools outside of Mansfield on rifle butts road and is currently contained as a grass fire.
Also there are purposely lit fires between Benalla and Shepparton, I hope the locals catch the person before the state authorities.
According to some of the locals I have been chatting to via phone the insurance companies are going to payout but several insurance companies are going to stipulate that fire is a natural occurrence in Victoria so if you rebuild in a 'fire zone' your home and content will not be covered against fire.
Anyways, it is a little questionable on the topic of natural occurrence since a lot of the fires in Victoria are man made..
Yesterday there was an accidental fire lit by someone operating power tools outside of Mansfield on rifle butts road and is currently contained as a grass fire.
Also there are purposely lit fires between Benalla and Shepparton, I hope the locals catch the person before the state authorities.
According to some of the locals I have been chatting to via phone the insurance companies are going to payout but several insurance companies are going to stipulate that fire is a natural occurrence in Victoria so if you rebuild in a 'fire zone' your home and content will not be covered against fire.
Earthling
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Sounds like you have had another run of bad and goodluck again Sdaji. Your family were lucky you were their to help save their lives and the home.
Goodluck in the future.
Goodluck in the future.
i_LoVe_AnImAlS
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181+ deaths still..................packed still....................see smoke still
ShnakeyGirl
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They bought in new laws a couple of yrs ago, and any death related to an arson caharge is now murder, with a sentance of 25 years for each death
Down here life is life....'term of your natural life'....it was changed when the truth in sentencing provisions were put into place in the late 80s- early 90s
I have been deeply touched by these severe fires as a mate i grew up with who moved to Kinglake 2 years ago was nearly killed fleeing the fires when he tried to save his house and it got to intense. He rode off on his motorbike and a falling burning tree knocked him off his bike and the fire was fast approaching when a CFA truck drove past and pulled him in and within 2 minutes the area they just left was flattened by a 50ft wall of fire. He is in the Alfred hospital as we speak with 2nd Degree burns to 60% of his body as the tree set his clothes alight and he is expected to live. I can hardly watch the news without feeling tears well up and my heart goes out to all who have lost loved ones and all their possesions etc. A truly devastating time and will be never forgotten.
Some of these photos show the Awesome force these Fires possesed.
Some of these photos show the Awesome force these Fires possesed.
ReptilianGuy
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i appreciate how they are doing such gr8 and up-to date coverage....i feel gr8 sorry whenever i hear about it and burning fury when they say they were deliberately lit......
was alaways told not to lite fires as you don't know what will happen or who is there.... what if there were some herpers deep in the scrub??? there would've been no hope for them... i was goin to go to the forrest of and near kinglake that weekend or the next few to come.... glad i didn't now so i can only send out my apologies to those who are suffering, and the tossa when they're caught should be draged into the towns burnt down so the locals can do as they will!!!... if any1 tells me one day they did it they will be farked up real fast and wont see a cop first... just the locals....
that way our tax dollars wont give them or him comfort of still being alive...
was alaways told not to lite fires as you don't know what will happen or who is there.... what if there were some herpers deep in the scrub??? there would've been no hope for them... i was goin to go to the forrest of and near kinglake that weekend or the next few to come.... glad i didn't now so i can only send out my apologies to those who are suffering, and the tossa when they're caught should be draged into the towns burnt down so the locals can do as they will!!!... if any1 tells me one day they did it they will be farked up real fast and wont see a cop first... just the locals....
that way our tax dollars wont give them or him comfort of still being alive...
i_LoVe_AnImAlS
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OMG those photos are scary they almost look photoshopped good luck with your mate Chappy hope all goes well!!
more firefighters have just been called to gembrook (the town next to ours) luckily its on the otherside of that town but they've been called as the fire has just hit grassland i think out of the state park!!! so we will be watching closely
more firefighters have just been called to gembrook (the town next to ours) luckily its on the otherside of that town but they've been called as the fire has just hit grassland i think out of the state park!!!
so we will be watching closely
caustichumor
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I see they have arrested a man for arson regarding the Churchill fire, but wait....... he is also up for a charge of child pornography... Sounds like a real nice guy......
Drazzy
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gravitation
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Anyone near baxter? I work there, we've got little fire bugs running around, lit two fires in two days.
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FROGGIESrCUTEo_O
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Bet he will get a 'special' treatment from the innmates in Jail then.
Yeah on 774 ABC AM they said that but apparently he can't go to court because he's to "fragile".
What about the families of the people who were killed!!!:evil:
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