SOME people were teary but keeping positive, comforted by the company of their neighbours at the Tarcutta RSL & Citizens Club yesterday.
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Used as an assembly point by the Rural Fire Service (RFS), the RSL was used by about 30 residents as a place to buckle down and keep informed on the unfolding situation while smoke billowed from multiple directions.
Many people covered their faces with clothing while standing outside because it was difficult to breathe.
The power was cut to the RSL club about 2pm due to the fires, but employee Gwen Brown didn’t let the searing heat bother her.
She continued to provide iced water to the SES, RFS, police and evacuees throughout the day.
Elderly resident Barbara Organ was sitting with friends after quickly getting out of her Sydney Street house.
“We stayed at home until we could, then we got a call to leave,” she said.
“There was a bit of panic, I’m feeling nervous at the moment but I’ve been through bushfires before in the ’60s.
“We’re a bit confused but I believe we can get out, I’m going to stay, though. My son is out there fighting the fires.”
Another Sydney Street resident at the RSL was Helen Reakes, who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
She said she wanted to be in the safest place possible because she is unable to move quickly.
“I’m very confident in the RFS and they are doing a great job so I feel all right,” she said, listening to updates on the radio. “My daughter has got a property on Mates Gully Road so her horses, pigs and sheep might burn.
“I’m staying here, my son is trying to get through from Holbrook at the moment to see me.”
Cynthia Street resident Mavis McCallan was in tears when she arrived at the RSL.
She said she was in shock and feared for her missing cat, Tabby.
“I’m scared out of my mind because of the fire and the stuff in my house isn’t insured,” she said.
All access to Tarcutta was cut off at 2.30pm before the Hume Highway was reopened about 5pm.
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