A Maltese-born woman living in Melbourne described how her husband escaped the fire sweeping the area by jumping into water behind a dam, while using their swimming pool to douse flames threatening to engulf their house.
People in the state of Victoria, Australia, are experiencing the worst bushfires ever to hit the continent, with 171 confirmed dead and many missing. Australian media yesterday reported that at least 31 fires were still raging.
Lou Drofenik (née Zammit), a writer born in Birkirkara but living on Mount Disappointment, 60km north of Melbourne, said she had a too-close-for-comfort experience.
"I found an inner strength... My son, Peter, kept telling me 'mum we're going to be alright'... My husband was caught outside our home, but he was lucky to be close to a dam," she told Marlene Galea in an interview on SBS radio.
"The light was so white! It was silver... It was dark and light, and dark and light," she said, describing the fire. As flames neared her home, the fire pump could not work because there was no electricity. The water taps were too hot to touch, and the hoses were all burnt.
Somehow, they managed to save their house by throwing bucketfuls of water from the swimming pool.
"I only saw one spark close to the back door and all of a sudden the fire came at us... it was so quick."
Dr Drofenik's neighbour died in the fire and there were some 30 horses loose on the street, while another died after it was trapped in its stable.
Her son's house suffered damage to its façade but they lost their shed, vineyard, olive trees and hay.
The Victorian Farmers' Association said animal welfare staff and livestock transport companies were working hard to provide support to farmers. Meanwhile, John Cassar, a resident of Mulgrave, a suburb of Melbourne, said he watched the smoke from the fire travel through the surrounding suburbs.
"There was an eerie feeling as the temperature hit almost 47degrees Celsius. I have never experienced heat of this nature; such a dry and strong hot north wind accompanying the heat," he said.
"The air conditioner worked overtime to keep the room cool for my ageing mother. The surrounding streets were deserted as neighbours sought refuge from the heat."
Victoria Premier John Brumby described the fire as "hell on earth".
Australian media reported that police suspect that some of the fires might have been started by arsonists.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd described the actions of arsonists suspected of lighting at least some of the bushfires in south-east Australia as "mass murder".
Firefighters from NSW, Tasmania and the ACT have flown to the state of Victoria.