Victoria Ablaze: Three Feared Dead as ‘Uncontrollable’ Bushfire Tears Through Towns, Leaving Trail of Destruction and Despair
- Three people unaccounted for after house destroyed in Longwood East, with police desperately searching for them
- Emergency warnings issued for thousands of residents as catastrophic fire conditions expected to worsen throughout the day
- Multiple towns destroyed, with residents describing scenes like a “bomb’s gone off” and “apocalyptic” devastation
Panic and desperation are gripping Victoria as a raging bushfire continues to tear through towns, leaving a trail of destruction and despair in its wake. Three people are feared dead after a house was destroyed in Longwood East, with police scrambling to locate them.
Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill revealed that the three individuals were last seen standing in front of the house, which was later found to be completely destroyed. “Those three people remain unaccounted for. We do not know at this point in time where they may be,” he said.
The fire has already destroyed multiple towns, with residents describing the scenes as “apocalyptic” and like a “bomb’s gone off”. The main street of Ruffy has been reduced to rubble, with the local community centre and telephone exchange damaged or lost.
Emergency management commissioner Tim Wiebusch warned that residents’ failure to evacuate from impacted areas “could result in your life being lost”. The fire is expected to worsen throughout the day, with temperatures and winds set to increase.
“We know that we have had the community centre and the telephone exchange damaged or lost at the township of Ruffy,” Commissioner Wiebusch said. “In and around the Ruffy township, there are multiple homes that have been lost to fire.”
Images from the fire have revealed the devastating impact, with entire buildings engulfed in flames. The Ruffy Recreation Centre, previously a primary school, became a fireball on Friday.
Residents are being urged to take shelter immediately, with authorities warning that it is too late to leave. “You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” the warning reads.
The federal and Victorian governments have announced snap emergency relief to support households affected, including a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child.
“My thoughts are with those who have been affected by these devastating bushfires,” Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said in a statement. “This is a crucial time for Victorians to be listening to the advice of emergency services, regularly checking for updates online or through media, and being ready to enact their emergency plans.”
NSW is bracing for the flames, with dozens of firefighters sent south to assist Victorian crews. The fire burning near Walwa is not expected to cross into NSW, but crews are preparing in case.
Authorities are pleading with residents to resist any temptation to stay and try to defend their homes. Premier Jacinta Allen urged residents to not second-guess official advice or wait for conditions to worsen.
“For those who might be thinking that they can stay and defend in these conditions – don’t,” she warned. “It’s dangerous, it’s not courageous. It puts your life and also to the lives of the emergency services at risk as well.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday morning that he had been receiving briefings from fire authorities and the Bureau of Meteorology. “This is an opportunity for me to emphasise that people need to listen to the advice, and as it comes through, if you’re asked to leave your property, please do,” he said.
Conditions are expected to worsen throughout the day, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning temperatures could reach 47C with damaging winds. Catastrophic fire danger warnings are in place across North Central, Northern Country, South West and Wimmera while extreme warnings are in place for Central, East Gippsland, Mallee, North East and West and South Gippsland.
Loved ones are fearing for locals, with community social media pages flooded with requests for updates from loved ones as residents caught up in the fire fail to reach out.
One post shared revealed how a farmer who had decided to stay at his property was unable to be contacted. “He is 84 now. He is on the farm on his own protecting our property and we cannot communicate with him. No working mobile and no way to get to him,” his family wrote.
Others have offered up their homes and services to those affected by the fires. “Please tell us what we can do. What do you need right now? We will try to get to you what ever is required. Don’t hesitate,” one person wrote.