Key Takeaways:
- The town of Harcourt in Victoria, Australia, has been devastated by a bushfire that destroyed over 50 homes and several businesses.
- The fire, which occurred on Friday evening, was particularly destructive, jumping from ridge to valley and leaping over the Calder Freeway.
- The Harcourt Cooperative Coolstore, a farmers’ cooperative established in 1917, was destroyed in the fire, leaving the community without a central meeting place and economic hub.
- Many residents, including CFA volunteers, lost their homes and businesses in the fire, and are now left to pick up the pieces and rebuild.
- The community is coming together to support each other and plan for the future, with many residents already talking about rebuilding and recovering from the disaster.
Introduction to the Devastation
The town of Harcourt in Victoria, Australia, has been left reeling after a devastating bushfire swept through the area, destroying over 50 homes and several businesses. The fire, which occurred on Friday evening, was particularly destructive, jumping from ridge to valley and leaping over the Calder Freeway. For Tyrone Rice, a 48-year veteran of the Harcourt CFA and former captain, the fire was a personal tragedy, as his own home was destroyed in the blaze. Despite his years of experience fighting fires, Rice was not prepared for the severity of this particular fire, which he described as "a bit more personal" than others he had fought.
The Fire’s Path of Destruction
The fire that swept through Harcourt was a nasty one, moving fast and jumping from ridge to valley. It razed the region’s economically crucial Coolstore, a farmers’ cooperative that was the economic and community centre of an entire region. The Coolstore, established in 1917, was a meeting place where local farmers and business owners would come to pick up or drop off goods and socialize. The loss of the Coolstore has left a significant void in the community, with many residents describing it as "a pub with no beer". The fire also destroyed several other businesses, including a wine making business and a furniture hire business, leaving many residents without livelihoods.
Personal Stories of Loss
For many residents of Harcourt, the fire has been a personal tragedy. Stephen and Sam Upton, who owned a furniture hire business, lost their entire stock in the fire. Sam wept openly as she surveyed the wreckage of their business, while Stephen described the fire as "holy shit" and said that it was "so aggressive, so huge". David Foley, who was building a mixed tourism and farming business, lost everything except for his tiny home, which was saved by a neighbor who protected his own property and then chased the fire over to save David’s. Foley described himself as being in "practical mode" and not yet processing the loss.
The Community Comes Together
Despite the devastation, the community of Harcourt is coming together to support each other and plan for the future. Many residents are already talking about rebuilding and recovering from the disaster. Tyrone Rice, who lost his home in the fire, said that he and his family would probably rebuild, although it’s not certain if he’s talking about his house or the town – or both. The CFA and other emergency services have been working tirelessly to support the community, and the Victorian government has announced plans to provide financial assistance to those affected by the fire.
Rebuilding and Recovery
As the community of Harcourt begins the long process of rebuilding and recovery, there are many challenges ahead. The loss of the Coolstore and other businesses will need to be addressed, and many residents will need to find new ways to make a living. However, the community is resilient, and many residents are already looking to the future. With the support of each other and the wider community, Harcourt can rebuild and recover from this devastating disaster. The town’s history and sense of community will play a significant role in the recovery process, as residents come together to support each other and rebuild their lives.