Cyclone survivors flee house
The Coles had not even been in their Atwell home a month when they were forced to evacuate because a bushfire drew dangerously close to their quiet street.
Within weeks of moving to WA from Queensland, where they survived cyclone Yasi three years ago, the family of four were again left wondering whether their home had survived a natural disaster. Their property is just a few streets from Sedge Link and Pindan Elbow - the streets where homes were reportedly damaged from ember attacks.
Towering flames 'unstoppable' |
Christine Coles and her two children, Gareth and Jennifer, were out in their only car when Stephen Coles received a text message telling him to leave.
With his family unable to return to their property to pick him up, Mr Coles and his dog had to be picked up by police.
"I just really hope it doesn't get to the house because we don't have insurance yet and everything is in boxes," Mr Coles said.
The Coles were among families gathered at Armadale Arena last night for a meeting for residents of Banjup, Aubin Grove and Atwell who were forced to evacuate because of yesterday's bushfire.
Residents looked concerned as they were shown aerial footage of the blaze and authorities advised they would be unable to return to their homes until today.
