Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au

Qld mayor praises firefighters and residents

A burnt-out paddock around a home near Lamington National Park in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

A Queensland mayor has paid an emotional tribute to firefighters after a bushfire destroyed at least 10 homes in the area.

September 7, 2019

A Queensland mayor has told residents it is too risky to return to their homes while paying an emotional tribute to the firefighters who battled a ferocious blaze that destroyed at least 10 buildings.

There have been no reports of deaths so far, but Scenic Rim mayor Greg Christensen says many people have fled their homes and are displaced.

“People can’t go home because it’s still too dangerous and could flare up again,” he told about 100 people at a community meeting in Canungra on Saturday afternoon.

He told them that overnight firefighters had faced what “looked like a wall of floating fire, constantly coming at them on the wind”.

“This is a significant event and still far from over,” he said.

QFES Assistant Commissioner Kevin Walsh said the fires in the Gold Coast hinterland were currently calm, with no live flames or active flame areas.

But the risk remains because trees continue to smoulder and the fires could ignite if the wind picks up.

Firefighting crews prepare to return to fight fires burning near Carunga in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

Last night the fire was ferocious, with estimates of 11 homes lost, Mr Walsh said.

“Firefighters stood side by side battling wind gusts of up to 90km/h,” he said.

“I’ve never seen anything as bad as that.”

The Gold Coast hinterland fire is burning on a 10km front from Canungra to Binna Burra. 

No one knows how many people actually evacuated as many people went to friends instead of the evacuation centre.

Earlier in the day, the mayor urged people to let the Red Cross know they were safe, and where they were.

An emotional Mr Christensen thanked his community for showing great courage and great compassion to needy friends and neighbours.

He praised the firefighters for their efforts.

“The good news for me is that at this point in time, we have not had any loss of life.”

He had stern words for “rubberneckers”, telling them they are not welcome.

“This is a tragedy unfolding for many people. It is not for your entertainment.”

A refuge centre that had been set up at nearby Tambourine has been moved back to Moriarty Park in Canungra, and people should go there for help.

Authorities have warned people to remain on their guard, with days of potentially dangerous weather still ahead.

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