[BMK]

Mulv,

Hi mate.

Yes it still terrible here. I had the opportunity to talk with some people who were in the middle. Really in the middle of it.

The question is often asked why did they stay at their homes..

The story I heard was that many of these homes are in the hill area of Marysville and Kinglake and residents could see the fire way off and there was no real concern.

Most people were in fire mode with the plans actioned. This was basically homes closed down. Buckets and hoses out to put out any embers. Clothes appropriate for the area and to fight spot fires etc.

Then suddenly winds changed and the fire ball grew in size and came at them at 60mph - 100kph+. The speed of a car on the freeway the fire ball widen and just jumped valleys, road etc. In hit them in minutes. It just jumped from town to town.

My best description is to say if you were at Baseline there and traveled at over 60mph - 100kph - imagine how quick it would take to cross the City of Phoenix - minutes . This is just what took place here.

Another example I can think of is, the fire traveled from West Dobbins Rd area to the Phoenix airport in minutes by comparison and the fire ball was at the height of ten level buildings. The noise level louder than a AA fuel dragster - the words used by one of the guys there.

Police are closing in on people who have been lighting fires.

Just an update Steve......

Bernie