Dramatic footage has emerged showing ferocious bushfires encircling a Victorian farm as a state of emergency is declared across the region. The devastating blazes, described as catastrophic, have caused widespread destruction and left three residents unaccounted for.
Family's Harrowing Escape as Flames Close In
Jane Homewood and her son Jack were forced to make a desperate evacuation from their family farm in the town of Ruffy on Thursday. The property, situated approximately 175 kilometres north of Melbourne, came under direct threat from an out-of-control fire front. The pair fled just in time as the inferno closed in, leaving behind their home and livelihood to the mercy of the flames.
Community Struck 'Like a Bomb'
The scale of the destruction in and around the small township is severe. The relentless bushfire has obliterated multiple homes and vital community buildings, with reports indicating the impact was akin to the town being hit by a bomb. Emergency services are currently assessing the full extent of the damage, but early accounts paint a picture of significant loss.
Authorities have confirmed that three people remain missing in the aftermath of the firestorm. Search and rescue operations are underway, hampered by dangerous conditions and ongoing fire activity. The community is holding its breath for news of their whereabouts.
Statewide Emergency and Ongoing Threat
The fire surrounding Ruffy is part of a larger, devastating bushfire crisis gripping the state. Weather conditions, including high winds and extreme temperatures, have created a perfect storm for these catastrophic fires to spread rapidly. Firefighting crews from across the region are battling multiple fronts, with resources stretched thin.
Residents in affected areas have been urged to heed all evacuation orders and warnings. The advice from authorities remains clear: leaving early is the safest option for survival. The focus for emergency teams is now on containing the existing blazes, protecting remaining assets, and locating the missing individuals as the state confronts one of its most severe bushfire challenges in recent years.
