John Prorok in the rubble of his house in Seaton. Picture: Hamish Blair
Source: Herald Sun

THE Gippsland township of Seaton is devastated after scores of homes burnt to the ground with returning residents left shell-shocked.

John Prorok said his house was lifted off the ground before it exploded from the inferno.

“Firefighters told me it took just 18 seconds before it was all over,” Mr Prorok, 51, said. “It would have been a sight to see, I guess.”

The local, who has been in the area for 24 years, evacuated on Thursday night. “I looked at the fire and thought it’s moving a lot quicker than predicted,” he said.

“I knew I had to get out because if I fell asleep it would be all over.”

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He said he wanted to rebuild: “Next time with a lot more sprinkler systems.”

Alan Clarkson said he might sell after fire scorched his property. 

“After the last fire I said I’ve had enough, so we evacuated this time,” Mr Clarkson said. His property was untouched but the surrounding area was charred. 

“We love it up here but in the back of my mind I’m thinking about selling up,” he said.

Victoria’s fires could be clearly seen from space. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Rob Gutro

“We’ve got a hell of a clean-up to do. But I’m lucky, at least I’ve got a bed to sleep in at night.”

Two houses away, Stan Hayhurst, 84, was killed in his car on Friday morning.

Mr Clarkson said the news came as a “complete shock”. “He should have (gone) the day before. Sometimes you just don’t know with these things.”

Last night 50ha of land was burnt in a grass fire north of Melbourne.

Relief appeal launched for Gippsland fire victims

Firefighters brought the blaze, near Wallan, under control about 5pm after it spread quickly, fanned by fresh southerly winds.

The fire has since been downgraded from the emergency level — where lives and property are at risk – to a watch and act status.

Seven firefighting strike teams battled the blaze amid fears it could spread into Wallan.

Firefighters remained at the scene overnight as they begin to remove hazardous debris from the fire-affected zone.

Old Sydney Rd, which was wedged on both sides by the inferno, will continue to be closed between Rowes Lane and Stockdale Rd this morning as emergency crews begin the clean-up process.

– with Mark Buttler

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