'Humble' firies' sweet note to woman whose home they helped save
A woman whose home only narrowly escaped being flattened by bushfire that tore through southern Queensland returned to her property to a sweet note left behind by an exhausted firefighter.
Six properties surrounding hers, including her neighbour’s, were destroyed in the firestorm that ripped through Pechey and Ravensbourne, in the Toowoomba Region, on November 17.
While she and her family watched from 10 kilometres away with just a few of their most sentimental possessions, they were certain it was their home that exploded into a giant plume of smoke.
By some form of miracle however, a wind change forced the fire away from their home at the last minute, just as it came within 100 metres of their boundary fence.
After the dangerously close-call and once it was safe enough for firefighters to re-enter the property, a team sprung into action and worked around-the-clock to ensure the the family had a home to return to.
In a heart-warming post to a Facebook group, the woman said once the family were finally allowed to return home nine days later, they discovered a sweet note left behind by one of the firefighters.
Despite being the one to have saved her home, the firefighter was the one expressing gratitude to the family for sharing their “view” while they rested during shifts.
“Thank you for letting us ‘borrow’ your amazing view for a much-needed rest break. It was/is spectacular. Thanks, Task Force India (Western Australia Fire and Emergency Services,” the hand-written letter read.
The woman was understandably dumfounded by this gesture, which she expressed in her post.
“Extraordinary to think they saved our house but took the time to write to thank us. Too humble to even mention the momentous battle they fought on our behalf? Only mentioning their rest?,” she wrote.
“I’m touched they used some of their rest time to write. I’m glad they did and that they took a rest and were able to enjoy the view while they did. Beyond well earned.”
She wrote that it was because of the courageous and hardworking efforts of firies, she and her family had returned home to once again enjoy their “beautiful view”.
“It is still beautiful, although changed a little for the time being. Our beloved forest is entirely burnt (even the rainforest parts that old timers, who’ve had family in the area since the 30s, say have never burned).”
“I wish I got to meet these special people,” she added.
The woman asked for help in getting in touch with the people responsible for saving her home, so she could thank them properly.
“They’re welcome back any time,” she said.
Damage assessments are still underway and there are unconfirmed reports that six homes were lost in the Pechey blaze along with sheds and farm equipment.
That fire burnt nearly 20,000 hectares and at one point had a fire front stretching more than 100 kilometres.
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