Camera IconCredit: Herald Sun

Massive fire storm devastates rural communities in Victoria’s west

David Hurley, Ryan Tennison and Ed GardinerHerald Sun

RESIDENTS are today assessing the damage caused by a bushfire which devastated farming communities in southwestern Victoria and tore through dozens of homes on the south coast of New South Wales.

Firefighters have contained a number of fires that destroyed 40,000ha and forced hundreds of Victorians to flee yesterday, with emergency warnings downgraded to ‘watch and act’ in the Camperdown, Cobden, Timboon and Terang areas.

Families in the fire-affected areas have begun returning to their homes to assess the damage as firefighters battle into a third day.

Premier Daniel Andrews visited Cobden Relief Centre this morning where he thanked CFA crews for “working tirelessly” and reassured locals that emergency services would “be here for the long haul.”

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Mr Andrews also said funding had been allocated to victims with the backing of the Federal government to help with the rebuild.

Deputy Premier James Merlino said extensive assistance packages were available.

Residents can claim emergency assistance payments of up to $40,700 per affected household.

Personal assurance packages are also available with eligible adults entitled up to $540.

Children can claim up to $270 with a maximum of $1,890 per household.

Terry Carpenter stands in front of what is left of his Terang home.
Camera IconTerry Carpenter stands in front of what is left of his Terang home. Credit: News Corp Australia, David Caird
A house which was incinerated south of Cobden.
Camera IconA house which was incinerated south of Cobden. Credit: AAP, AAP Image/David Crosling

At least 18 homes were lost and hundreds of livestock were killed.

“This assistance will help affected communities with any immediate needs and also help re-establish homes destroyed by the bushfires,” Mr Merlino said.

“As the impact of the fire becomes clearer, additional assistance will be made available as required.”

Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security Angus Taylor said providing emergency assistance would help those directly affected by the fires.

“Swift action is needed to help families and individuals recover from these devastating bushfires,” he said.

“The Commonwealth and Victorian governments are committed to working together to help people get back on their feet.”

A community meeting for residents affected by the Camperdown fires at Terang Civic Hall gave incident control officers the chance to update locals on road blockages and what to look out for.

While many roads are now open, police have blocked off several back roads while fire crews put out small ember fires.

Relief and recovery services were also available on site.

Deputy Premier James Merlino said extensive assistance packages were available.
Camera IconDeputy Premier James Merlino said extensive assistance packages were available. Credit: News Corp Australia, Kylie Else

In southern New South Wales, communities were left reeling after a fast-moving bushfire ripped through dozens of homes and businesses.

More than 70 properties were damaged or destroyed by the blaze on Sunday evening.

The fire, fanned by strong winds and high temperatures, burned through several kilometres of bushland and crossed a river before it reached the picturesque township of Tathra and coastline.

Hundreds of residents took shelter at an evacuation centre in the nearby town of Bega overnight.

The Victorian fires saw more than 40 outbuildings incinerated as around 280 firefighters battled the blazes while 29 aircraft were also deployed.

More than 1500 homes in the region remained without power this morning.

Emergency Management Commissioner of Victoria Craig Lapsley said the main danger had passed and the focus should now turn to the communities devastated by fire.

“They’re hot, they’re active fires (but) we’re getting on top of them — today is about understanding the wellbeing of the community and getting people back into their communities,” he said.

The Federal and State Government has announced a joint assistance package for the region to help residents impacted by the fires.

People in the local government areas of Colac-Otway, Corangamite, Moyne and Southern Grampians can access the Personal Hardship Assistance Payments, which provide payments of up to $540 per adult and $270 per child for emergency food, shelter and clothing.

Some will be eligible for Emergency Re-establishment Assistance grants providing up to $40,700 per household that has been affected by fire at their primary place of residence.

The CFA was called to more than 135 grass and bush fires since 10am Saturday, with the SES receiving more than 1100 calls for help since 8pm on Saturday.

Seven-metre-high flames lit the night sky, exploding the Ter­ang substation, while downed powerlines and strong winds sent fire racing through a Camperdown mother’s house as her family ran for their lives with only the clothes on their backs.

Miraculously, no lives were lost and no serious injuries were reported. A lightning front that swept across the region is believed to have ignited the blazes.

The Insurance Council of Australia on Sunday night declared the bushfires a “catastrophe”, meaning those hardest hit will be given priority by insurers.

Terang man Terry Carpenter returned to his home on Sunday to find it destroyed. He had to run for his life when flames took hold of his house.

“Trees, fencing, sheds and all of the house went up instantly,” he told the Herald Sun.

“You could see balls of fire flying across the paddocks.”

The flames were four times higher than a house at Lake Gnotuk, in Camperdown.
Camera IconThe flames were four times higher than a house at Lake Gnotuk, in Camperdown. Credit: Supplied, Oat Wacharachat Vaiyaboon
A huge fire lights up the night at Lake Gnotuk.
Camera IconA huge fire lights up the night at Lake Gnotuk. Credit: Supplied, Oat Wacharachat Vaiyaboon

There are fears entire dairy herds have been lost in the Terang and Cobden areas, while farmers are scrambling to find generators or walking their cows to neighbouring farms so they can be milked.

The area affected by fires is between Camperdown, Warrnambool and Hamilton.

Mr Merlino said it was the biggest fire event of the season.

“This has been a difficult weekend with both hot and windy conditions,” Mr Merlino said.

“People have been heeding the warnings and responding accordingly.

“Approximately 40,000ha have been damaged as a result of a number of fires across western Victoria.

“Ten to 12 homes have been impacted by the fire and beyond that there are sheds, machinery and unfortunately a large number of livestock. Hundreds of beef and dairy cattle will be lost as a result of these fires.”

A total of 800 people went to relief centres, and emergency services responded to 400 calls for help.

Mr Lapsley said there were early problems with emergency alerts as the ability of emergency controllers to get accurate information about the location of fires was reduced at night.

Around 280 firefighters battled the blazes while 29 aircraft were also deployed.

CFA crew battle a blazing hay shed near Terang.
Camera IconCFA crew battle a blazing hay shed near Terang. Credit: News Corp Australia, David Caird
Fire crews from across the region fought the blazes.
Camera IconFire crews from across the region fought the blazes. Credit: News Corp Australia, David Caird

Mr Lapsley said it was a challenge fighting the fires during the night.

“The challenge is you can’t get fire trucks into some areas in the darkness,” he said. “We aren’t able to fly aircraft.

“That means our suppression activity is (limited) somewhat ... however we were able to issue warnings to make sure the community was able to make decisions about what they needed to do.”

Authorities believe the fires were caused by lightning but investigators will spend the next few days combing the ashes to rule out foul play.

Terang local Phil Beasley tells of losing his home in the bushfires that have devastated rural communities in Victoria’s west. Courtesy Seven News
A helicopter drops water on a forest south of Cobden.
Camera IconA helicopter drops water on a forest south of Cobden. Credit: AAP, AAP Image/David Crosling
Only the chimney of this house remains standing south of Cobden.
Camera IconOnly the chimney of this house remains standing south of Cobden. Credit: AAP, AAP Image/David Crosling

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said his officers were manning multiple road closures from east of Warrnambool through to the Otway Ranges.

“We are working with VicRoads to make sure we continue to assess those roads and as soon as we are happy (the) danger has passed we will reopen those roads,” Mr Ashton said.

“We will investigate the causes of these fires. We had a number of lightning strikes in the western districts on Saturday.

“We are most likely looking at lightning but we have to make sure and properly investigate. “The arson squad will be making sure that happens over the coming days.

“I’d like to praise the residents out in those areas (for) observing those road closures. I know it is difficult.”

Smoke from the fire could be seen from a Camperdown lookout.
Camera IconSmoke from the fire could be seen from a Camperdown lookout. Credit: News Corp Australia, David Caird
Smoke from a smouldering fire blankets the region.
Camera IconSmoke from a smouldering fire blankets the region. Credit: News Corp Australia, David Caird
Camera IconCredit: Herald Sun