Its hard to imagine anything worse than losing friends and loved ones, not to mention everything you own, in a fire.
Certainly, Australia has been touched by tragedy in large proportions this weekend with the bushfires in Victoria.
At the time I’m writing this, 84 people have been killed, with the final toll expected to be more than 100. More than 700 homes have been destroyed. In terms of loss of life, it is said to be Australia’s worst bushfire disaster.
I’ve seen the pictures of the fires on the web, and on the TV. Its just totally devastating for those who have suffered loss in them. There have been places I have been and am familiar with, almost completely destroyed, like Kinglake and Marysville. Speaking of the latter, when I was listening to coverage of the fires on the radio last night reports were coming in that only one building had been left standing in the town – I saw the aerial video and photos this morning and that report, unfortunately, was pretty true.
I feel truly sorry for those who have lost friends and family. I’d hate to be in the shoes of those who literally have only the clothes they were wearing left – I can’t imagine how helpless and devastating the loss of just about everything in your life must be. I hope these people are able to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives – just where would you start if it were you? Appeals have been launched to assist the victims of the fires – in times like these Australians need to give generously – which we have done typically in the past when disaster has struck.
What is really disturbing about the fires is the suspicion that many have been deliberately lit. What sort of sicko gets off on doing this? It happens every summer. I’d be happy to see them taken up in one of the fire fighting helicopters and dropped into the middle of the fire.
And then we have people who go sightseeing in the areas affected by the fires. What are their thought processes? How could you be so insensitive as to gawk at the victims and their suffering, not to mention inconsiderate in getting in the way of the emergency services and others attempting to fight the still burning fires and to help those who have lost so much.
Finally the media. I know we thirst for news and constantly updated information when things like this happen, but I can’t help but feel the reporting of the number of dead is treated somewhat like a sporting event, like a league ladder, as the points are tallied up by the hour.
This is my worst nightmare.
I see these pictures and am so overwhelmed by the loss I almost feel empty. Almost like a reverse sensory overload.
Can you imagine standing there amongst everything you once had that was now just piles of ash and rubble?
And the horror of the people killed in their cars trying to escape.
I have to agree with your views on the sightseers and media and the death toll being tallied. It reminds me of a theme that ran through Natural Born Killers; there is a secret excitement buried in the tragedy that’s more than a little ugly when you see it.
ABC radio 774, having become the emergency broadcaster, is the better media to listen to.
At least the reporters aren’t afraid to sound on the verge of tears like the rest of us.
Firebugs every summer. We used to have them in Newcastle, but they only stated small fires, generally in places like near creeks, but this is just insane
Friends and former colleagues are safe,for which I am truly thankful.Shock is starting to hit home,and today I spent several hours curled up in bed,crying. Recovery for many families will take years.
The same thing happens in southern California here in the states, and even in Washington state where I live. I can’t understand morons that set fires. They are sick. My heart and prayers go out to all our Australian friends.
This is really a tragedy. One has to stay calm and composed in mayhem to survive out of it.