Fatal fires

Two lives lost, homes perish as horror fears become reality

Written by JEFF ZEUSCHNER. - Wangaratta Chronicle - 09 Feb 09

TWO lives have been lost and at least a dozen homes have perished in the massive weekend bushfire that continues to threaten North East townships.

Police yesterday confirmed they had found two bodies at a home at Barwidgee Creek, believed to be the owners, John and Sue Wilson, who had tried to save their home.

On a day billed as the state’s most dangerous ever, there was no stopping the fire that ripped across tinder dry country, in 45 degree heat, fanned by strong winds.

Firefighters on the ground yesterday told The Chronicle they had seen as many as a dozen homes in the Barwidgee Creek and Mudgegonga area destroyed.

Authorities said the fire is believed to have been sparked by a branch falling onto a powerline, 4kms south of Beechworth on Library Road, at around 6pm on Saturday.

The blaze has so far destroyed more than 22,500ha of bushland and forests.

And it was continuing to threaten the areas of Stanley, Bruarong, Dederang, Gundowring, Gundowring Upper, Kancoona, Kancoona South, Coral Bank, Glen Creek and Running Creek earlier this morning.

At 3.30am today authorities said the fire front had crossed the Yackandandah Dederang Road into the Mt Big Ben area and may impact on the Kergunyah South, Kergunyah and Gundowring North communities this morning.

Spotting activity reported earlier on the east side of the Kiewa River between Running Creek and Coral Bank also appears to be relatively quiet at the moment, however, the Eskdale and Little Snowy Creek communities will need to remain aware.

It is still anticipated that the fire will continue to move into the area south of Yackandandah this morning.

Milder conditions are being experienced at the moment, however, residents in the Yackandandah area are advised that this fire could still impact on their properties and that they should be vigilant, listen for updates and be ready to activate their fire plans.

All residents in the area of the fire are being encouraged to go over their plans and prepare themselves for the event of fire.

Wangaratta firefighter, and deputy incident controller of the Beechworth fire, Paul Scragg, said conditions to tackle the fire had been horrendous.

Cooler conditions this week are expected to assist crews to try to contain the blaze.

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