Steve Harrison, a 67-year-old Gonchar, who miraculously managed to survive in a forest fire, which raged to the South-West of Sydney. He hid in his pottery furnace, when the flames had completely engulfed his land, blocking the way to the car.
Forest fires continue to blaze across Australia, covering entire cities and leaving behind ashes. A remarkable story of survival has occurred in the state of New South Wales (NSW).
All the property of the Harrison was destroyed by fire. In an interview with the Australian broadcasting Corporation (ABC) he said he stayed to protect his home at Balmoral. But the element was much stronger than the man could imagine.
«I ran to his pickup truck, but my garden was covered in fire, and the road too, so I was not able to evacuate. — Harrison said. — Fortunately, the day before, I made a small underground oven. She was the size of a coffin, but it was enough that I could climb inside.»
Flames Steve arrived at by the Harrison’s New South Wales home in minutes, leaving him no time to escape.
Watch his emotional story of how he survived.
Read more about the Australian wildfires here: https://t.co/0clI1DoBw7 pic.twitter.com/Z5HL5Tf9Dw
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 22, 2019
Steve Harrison hid in the Potter’s oven, when I realized that to evacuate too late. He sat in it for half an hour. All this time around was raging «firestorm».
«The fire was huge. Everything around was glowing orange-red. It was scary. I was terrified — he recalls. — I would have died if it wasn’t thought in advance about the «plan B». In the little kiln I made, I had a fire extinguisher, bucket of water, a bottle of drinking water and a fire blanket.»
Just heard of Australian man, Steve Harrison who survived the bushfire ranging through his property… by sheltering in his newly built kiln. As fellow potters, we salute your quick thinking. @Pottedhistory @PottedApprentis pic.twitter.com/b4qY1qoW3q
— Lynda Taylor (@NorthumberArt) December 22, 2019
The Prime Minister of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian at a press conference on Sunday told reporters that Balmoral, which is home to about 400 people, «left a bit, and the restoration of the city could take years».
Steve Harrison is lucky to be alive. The potter hid in his ‘makeshift kiln’ for 20 mins as the Green Wattle Creek #fire engulfed his property. He watched his beloved potting shed burn to the ground but thankfully his house is still standing. @abcsydney @abcnews pic.twitter.com/mG6o73MBLF
— Lydia Feng (@LydiaLFeng) December 22, 2019
In response to the frequent statement that the rescuers did everything possible to save the city fireman, known as Greg, told radio station 2GB about the «terrible» conditions in which there were rural fire service of New South Wales.
«They say that we are unable to protect the Balmoral… I don’t know how others will perceive it, but for me personally it’s a shame to hear such assumptions. For example, I was hospitalized.»
On Monday, the NSW RFS declared that conditions «have started to improve». Firefighters had the ability to «identify and strengthen containment lines of the fire.» But the temperature decrease will be temporary. Forecasters predict return of heat by the end of this week. Forest fires, burning for two months, complicated by strong winds that fuelled the flames and fanning the coals.
According to Nine News Australia, across the country continue to rage about 200 fires, nine people were killed and more than 1,100 homes destroyed by fire.
