Imagine watching the fire emergency unfold on social media and then realising in a terrifying single moment "that's my house".
That's exactly the experience that unfolded for former Canberra Times journalist Emily Barton on Thursday afternoon.
Having watched the fire drama unfold this week, the now WIN News journalist's family home at Bawley Point was suddenly the focus of attention mid-afternoon. This video, from ABC Canberra tells the tale:
Before we get to the sheer relief and untold gratitude, here's how it unfolded on social media.
Let's start all the way back on December 2 - which, somehow, was on Monday, just four days ago.
This taken from my parent’s backyard just now. pic.twitter.com/oqGsJnNplF
— Emily Barton (@emilybarton1211) December 2, 2019
The following day, Emily's morning tweet was non-too-surprisingly prophetic. The danger, she and authorities warned, was far from over.
The red dots show where the Currowan Fire has burnt. Although now downgraded to a Watch and Act, the danger isn’t over. pic.twitter.com/JF33Nfehgg
— Emily Barton (@emilybarton1211) December 2, 2019
Yesterday, the imminent danger became even more real - if that was even possible.
Yesterday morning my Aunty was making sure Bawley was safe and said “we will be fine, the fire’s a while from us”. Last night they had to defend their Termeil property, the fire coming just metres from the house. Thankfully all that was destroyed was fencing and the letter box. https://t.co/2oCDEvj5To
— Emily Barton (@emilybarton1211) December 3, 2019
But even as the fire emergency worsened on Wednesday Emily's mum, Liza Butler, an interior designer, took time out to speak with us as she joined the community effort to sustain exhausted firefighters.
At home with her was husband Barrie Curtis and Emily's brother 23-year-old Brendan. And on Thursday, "so many brave, selfless firies" as Emily described them, helped the family save their home.
"How they saved it, I just really don't know," Emily said. "I saw the pic on Twitter and just thought, hang on 'that's my house'."
This is my house 😭😭😭 https://t.co/Vp1Rqp7Zxs
— Emily Barton (@emilybarton1211) December 5, 2019
"And as hard as I tried to get onto them, I couldn't. Of course they'd stayed to defend the place and were doing what they had to but thankfully Mum was in the front paddock with the dog."
And although keen to give a shout out to the Crossroads Fire Brigade which pretty much saved the day, there was a longstanding bushfire plan - and a whole heap of firefighting experience to call on.
Emily's stepdad, Barrie, works for the National Parks and Wildlife Service as a highly-skilled firefighter.
"He really knows what he's doing - he's that man choppers drop in inaccessible fire zones. So he knows what he's doing," Emily said.
"The had the boat packed and if they were told to leave they would have done."
READ MORE:
- Multiple buildings destroyed in South Coast fires
- Friday could be "even worse" on the coast
- North Black Range fire roars across the landscape threatening homes
Even so the fire claimed "a masterpiece of a garden, a shed and some shade sails".
"But it's lives that matter most. Hopefully everyone can be as fortunate as us," Emily said.
But when in doubt, how do you best show your gratitude? With beer!
These are the heroes who just SAVED most of the house. Shed, garden and shade sails gone and still some flames but everyone is alive. I need to buy these guys 10 cases of beer!! pic.twitter.com/D0u6HP3aRo
— Emily Barton (@emilybarton1211) December 5, 2019
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