Homes still standing on scorched earth in Katanning

His home is surrounded by scorched earth, the fresh scent of his wife’s rose garden replaced by a pervasive stench of smoke. The roses and trees are gone, and with them any obvious signs of life or colour. There is a burnt-out shell of a Ford ute, the twisted remnants of a concrete mixer and the ruins of a pond, complemented by a melted garden bench. It is unusually still, the blackened land with little to offer birdlife. When the fire reached Colin Beeck’s property on Kojonup-Katanning Road on February 8, it was in full roar. Forced to evacuate with his wife, Jill, their two sons and their pets, Mr Beeck thought that was the last time he would see their home of more than a decade. “I thought the house was gone,” Mr Beeck said. “I didn’t see that there was any way the house could be saved.” Although he is living among ash and the skeletal remains of gardens, he is grateful — surprised, impressed and grateful. They are common sentiments among those who were in Katanning when firefighters saved more than 200 buildings and at least 43 homes two weeks ago. Not only were their efforts heroic — they were also very successful. “The fireys did an amazing job, especially that water bomber,” Mr Beeck said. “If it wasn’t for that big bomber, I think the house would be gone.” The Beecks’ neighbours, Steven and Deb Hogan, have lived on the property across the road for 26 years. Mr Hogan stayed at home for about an hour after his wife left, until he lost water pressure because the fire was bursting hoses. He said firefighters were being told to leave the area as well because water bombers were on their way. “You couldn’t see anything when I left here. The smoke was that thick,” he said. “I didn’t think we’d have anything left.” The couple lost a hay shed, bales of hay, pet birds and a couple of goats. But like the Beecks, their home was saved. “Our blinds on that side of the house are melted, the spa lid’s melted, the aluminium outdoor settings are melted,” Mr Hogan said. “We’re lucky to have a house, we really are, and that comes down to our fireys. You can’t praise them enough, you really can’t. “Sorry, I still get emotional. I can’t praise them enough. All we took with us was our mum and dad’s ashes and our dogs, except the big dogs because they wouldn’t leave.” While firefighters acted as the last line of defence on the ground for homes on Great Southern Highway, water bombers provided heavy stopping power on the fringes of town. It was an exercise in co-ordination, courage and capability. The Beecks and Hogans have a long road ahead of them, and they will need the continued support of the community. To join the Katanning Volunteer Register, contact the Katanning Hub Community Resource Centre on 0477 493 141 or at katanninghub@crc.net.au. “The help we’ve had has been great,” Mr Hogan said. “We lost every bale of hay we had. I’ve come home and there are bales of hay in the paddock. It’s been magic.”