Rebecca Brunner and her companion Tina Koeleman left their residence within the township of Beaufort round 3.30pm on Thursday with solely their canine Chief, some essential paperwork and drugs for themselves.
The couple have been amongst dozens uncertainly ready at CE Brown Reserve in Wendouree on the northern outskirts of Ballarat on Thursday evening, the place Ballarat Council was co-ordinating meals, beds and pet look after residents with no the place else to spend the evening.
Beaufort residents Tina Koeleman (proper) and her companion Rebecca Brunner (left) and their canine Chief.Credit score: Eddie Jim
Earlier within the day, the couple moved to an preliminary evacuation level at Beaufort Lake, however solely stayed half-hour earlier than police informed them to maneuver on to Wendouree as the hearth was bearing down on the Beaufort township.
“They really closed that evacuation centre,” mentioned Koeleman. “Embers have been touchdown in every single place and there have been spot fires in every single place.”
The couple needed to depart their pet cat again in Beaufort.
“We didn’t have something to place her in,” mentioned Brunner.
A smokey sundown seen from Ballarat on Thursday.Credit score: Eddie Jim
“We left her outdoors as a result of we figured she’s obtained extra of an opportunity [of survival] outdoors than locked in the home. If the home goes up she’s obtained no probability.”
Brunner described a terrifying scene again within the township of Beaufort earlier than the couple left.
“From our place I appeared outdoors and it was simply black. It was unbelievable,” she mentioned.
“So darkish, it was, and it simply saved shifting via the city.”
The couple mentioned in the event that they couldn’t return residence tonight they might journey 40 kilometres north-east to Daylesford to stick with a relative.
Chief enjoys a pat in Ballarat.Credit score: Eddie Jim
However Evan King, the chief government of the Metropolis of Ballarat, mentioned many others may keep the evening on the soccer oval.
“The hearth is clearly in Pyrenees Shire, however clearly a aid centre right here logistically is one of the best place,” he mentioned, unloading pet food into the clubrooms.
“It’ll be open so long as it must be open to supply help.
“We’ve obtained meals, water, pet meals. The Salvation Military is about to begin cooking meals for individuals. We now have Victoria Police right here, the ambulance is right here for any medical wants. So it’s actually moved into full emergency administration protocol.”