Two versions of the same scene
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382068)
Rockingham, Australia
January 16, 2023 6:04pm CST
We received the photo on the right of the bushfire that nearly took out our friends’ house. This is taken looking over the dam from outside the house. On the left is a photo I took from almost the same spot when we were house-sitting there. The dots on the hillside are kangaroos. The fire bombers went over the area spraying fire retardant and managed to save the house.
Our friends have been without power for a few days and no doubt it will be a few more days before it is returned. This means that everything in their big chest freezer which was in the garage will probably have to be thrown out. But it is a small price to pay for their safety and for saving the house.
I can’t imagine they slept much while the fire was raging so close to them. They have lost a lot of timber and bush.
16 people like this
18 responses
@DaddyEvil (174430)
• United States
17 Jan 23
The food in the freezer can be replaced and the timber and bush will regrow. I hope the wildlife there made it to the water before the fire reached them.
I'm glad your friends and their house are okay.
5 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174430)
• United States
17 Jan 23
@JudyEv There's no way to know. At least the water won't burn... the animals could get in there or cross it to some safety.
4 people like this
@rsa101 (40976)
• Philippines
17 Jan 23
Although I am happy that the property was spared from the blaze, it is just too upsetting to witness the flames all around you. I wonder if the home's owners stayed behind to keep watch on it and to continue watering it to prevent a fire from spreading.
3 people like this
@rsa101 (40976)
• Philippines
17 Jan 23
@JudyEv Yeah that is what I think so since a fire as big as that would definitely gobble up that house unless there is someone out there wetting their surrounding areas so no fire or embers will be able to burn it. I think they used the water from that pond.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (51819)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
17 Jan 23
As long as they don't open the freezer, a lot of the food should still stay well frozen for several days.
I hope the herbivorous animals don't starve.
2 people like this
@allknowing (153530)
• India
17 Jan 23
I am sure there must have been moments of helplessness where your friends are concerned when they could see those flames and could do nothing about it
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (208906)
• United States
17 Jan 23
Wow, that would have been so scary...California and the Western states seem to go through that every summer. Hopefully all the rain they are getting out there now will provide some help with this. At least they are probably replenishing the water table.
1 person likes this
@Aquitaine24 (12000)
• San Jose, California
17 Jan 23
That reminds me of the orange skies we had a couple of years ago.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135744)
• Marion, Ohio
17 Jan 23
The meat is a small loss compared to what could have been. Glad they are safe
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135744)
• Marion, Ohio
17 Jan 23
@JudyEv Glad to hear the sheep are okay too
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (22245)
• United States
17 Jan 23
That's good they saved the house, but it's sad and scary.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222302)
• United States
17 Jan 23
How terrible. I'm glad that they are OK and that their house was saved.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382068)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Jan 23
Yes, it destroyed a lot of land but I think only one house.
@FourWalls (86703)
• United States
17 Jan 23
I have a fear of fire, so if I woke up and saw that I think I’d get on a plane to Canada. 
1 person likes this
@Beestring (15372)
• Hong Kong
17 Jan 23
I'm glad that the people are safe. It's stressful when the fire was so close to them.
1 person likes this
