fire storm

Saturday night marked the end of an era. Edd and I fought desperately to save the property but it all happened too fast. A tiny flume of smoke kilometers away on above the distant hills was the only warning. The TV, radio, and internet were already swamped with reports from other areas and the fire moved too quickly for anyone in Steels Creek to have time to prepare.

As we had got our guests off to what we hoped was safety a loud roaring heralded the fire its self. It swept down the surrounding hills in a sheet of flame three times taller than the gum trees. In seconds it had roared up from behind us and engulfed the brewery. The power went off and the Studio cottage blew up , literally. I called all the animals and fortunately all who could came instantly and I led them to safety in the paddock with the big dam. Edd got the fire pump working and I bucketed water from the pool.

When the house lit we opened the doors to call out the dogs who Edd heard barking. Sadly the house was full of swirling smoke and we could not reach them or them us. We have buried them under a big rock next day. When we knew the house was lost we joined the animals in the big paddock and watched years of work vanish in an instant.

Luckily we had camping gear in the cellar and managed to find a tin opener and cans of baked beans . Our poly igloo under the big gum had survived so it now became our new house. Next day it was confirmed that our neighbour and over 20 others in Steel Creek had perished. Hargreaves road is an unrecognisable moonscape of ash covered land and blackened trees. I feel so lucky that we and most of our animals survived. If any guests that are booked in contact me once we get a phone again I will try and sort things out but I see but I see no way we will be in business again this year or in the forseeable future.