Rob and Helene Jones and their daughter and pets managed to get out in time before a bushfire which began in Yarrowitch swept through Bellangry on Friday November 8. Their timber home on Cowal Creek Road in Bellangry was destroyed, along with the homes of three neighbours.

At the time, Rob said it came down at such a pace that they were left with nothing and they were devastated. Since then, the family have been trying to pick up the pieces.

"It has been quite exhausting, physically and mentally," he said.

"We have been so busy. The phones don't stop. Everywhere you go, you have to talk to people and deal with people, and all of that takes much more time than you expect, so it's hard to meet our deadlines."

Rob says they have managed to secure a nice place to rent and the pets are okay there.

"People have been so generous. Pretty much everything we needed has been given to us. We are talking to the insurance agency, NRMA in our case, and they have been very good. We still have to finalise exactly what we are going to get back.

"There are a couple of sheds undamaged on our property, which is quite useful to us in the future. There is a lot lost but there are some things still there.

"There are some orange trees and some pecan trees and there is green grass, and because there has been 20 mms of rain there, the place looks a little softer and gentler already, so we are looking forward to getting back," said Rob.

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