A change in wind direction has helped an Australian town where 4,000 people fled wildfires by taking shelter on a local beach.
Those who were forced to evacuate to the shore at Mallacoota, in the state of Victoria, said they could see homes being destroyed and could hear gas bottles exploding in the distance.
There are concerns though for four people who are missing, with authorities saying they fear for their safety.
Temperatures have dropped and there has been a wind changed, thankfully," said Caroline Schelle who is a reporter with the Associated Press in the state of Victoria.
"People in Mallacoota cheered when that came through because it means the worst of the fire-front has passed that town. Roads in and out of the town were blocked by the blaze so people had to take shelter on the beach and the nearby jetty - so pretty terrifying conditions."
Australia is burning.
The city of Mallacoota is completely surrounded by flame and 4,000 people have been forced to flee and seek shelter on the beach.
We need to act on climate change. This cannot be our new normal.
— Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) December 31, 2019
There are concerns though for four people who are missing, with authorities saying they fear for their safety.
It is simply too late and too dangerous to leave," said fire chief Steve Warrington last night
"So many of these are these roads wind through heavily forested areas, tall timber and dangerous vegetation - the last thing we need is people to be trapped on roadways."
