The week of HELL

This is what remains of a Primary school in Kinglake




I wasn't really going to blog about this but have decided to draw as many prayers in for the communities devastated by the week of hell that is bush fires here in rural Victoria.

181 dead and up to 80 people still missing, presumed dead.

Whole communities wiped off the face of the map.

The fire came so fast that some communities were not given any warnings at all.

The first fires started last week on the other side of the city, by Saturday a new fire had been, believed to be deliberately lit, in Kilmore East and quickly engulfed the bushland. Remember we have been in drought for at least the past 8 years, so there was plenty to burn.

With high winds, it didn't take long for it to travel to many other rural towns, some completely gone with very little chance of anyone surviving.

I hate to think of the wildlife, stock and pets that were lost along with the 750 homes that have been burnt to the ground.

This link is of a wild animal, a koala, I know that everyone thinks that these guys are cute and cuddly but they really arn't in real life but this shows the desparation of one.

http://player.video.news.com.au/heraldsun/?Reay9LDBRJjZcvLwFEDVTVmNzvM39fBl

I have read were parents have died along with there babies, children and disabled family members as there wasn't enough time to get out. The first victims I heard of were 6 people in there car, that obviously tried to get out but must have been blocked in. I can't imagine the terror they must have been facing and the screams that must have come from that car with no one but themselves listening.

For the past 5 days now I have heard the water chopper over head, carrying water to dump on effected area's, it brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it. I am lucky to not be too close to the fire however I do have friends in the area where the fires are and have been under threat of losing everything they have ever owned. Some have lost their homes.

I work for an electricity company and know that people who live in the effected area have now automatically had their accounts placed on hold and anyone who has lost their home has had any outstanding debt written off, we have also donated $100,000.00 to the disaster and they are matching $ for $ what employees are donating. I am so proud to know that we are doing some thing for these people and not just wanting there last $, if they have one.

Dazza has been sending me SMS's while I am at work when he is in the disaster area to tell me what people need and I am telling everyone at work what to bring to donate. I just wish I could do more.

A ray of sun shine through this disaster.