Clinging on for dear life! Wildfire in Australia!

[karl]

Huddling in the water with fear etched on their faces, this terrified family were forced to take refuge under a jetty for more than two hours as the Australian wildfires tore through their town.
As the blaze destroyed their home, Tammy and Tim Holmes led their five young grandchildren to the only place they hoped the flames could not reach them.
With the oxygen fast running out in the polluted air, they clung to the wooden structure and each other for support as their hopes faded of finding a way out of the hellish conditions.


See dramatic photos here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2259468/Australia-wildfires-Moment-terrified-family-forced-refuge.html#ixzz2HTrZ6iJQ

[Mortal Coil]

I heard about this from my family. This sounds absolutely horrible and I wish all the best to the family. I really hope that this particular fire wasn't caused by an arsonist (many Australian wildfires are,) because that just adds the fact that it was actively preventable to this whole affair.

[ReginaGeorge]

Those pictures are terrifying. That story is terrifying. It just seems like the whole of Australia is on fire right now. I hope everything gets controlled asap.

[TigerBoy]

What really impressed me with this family was not only their courage and survival sense, but how totally together and mature the daughter was when talking to the media in the little bit I saw on TV.

[project_icarus]

The New South Welsh and Tasmanian bushfires are really posing a challenge to firefighters on the ground. As common as this is, anything like this is absolutely terrible.

In response to Alex's comment:
I haven't heard anything on the original cause of the blazes, but what I do know is that the sap of gumtrees produces a gas that is flammable at 40ºC~ which is, again, a challenge.

It's good that they got out okay, I hope that many more do. Last I heard, only one home has been lost so far, no lives (in New South Wales).

This is just one other representation of the damage, in Dunally. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=Ke4vVMvUwdY)

[Infidelitas]

I actually know these people.