Don Deelen says most people would think he was stupid for staying to defend his property from a bushfire.
“But you do what you think you have to do,” Mr Deelen said.
“It’s my house.”
Don Deelen says he stayed to defend his property. (ABC News: Jessica Longbottom)
The 82-year-old cattle farmer from the central Victorian town of Koriella, which was ravaged in the Longwood bushfires, said he was putting out spot fires with a hose when his garage caught alight.
“I turned around to put it out and the water ran out. That’s when the fire travelled through the house and took it,” he said.
“I just had to save myself then.”
Mr Deelen said his wife and children evacuated before the fire reached their home, where they had lived for about 40 years.
“I must admit I’m a bit stoic … they were probably sensible,” he said
Don Deelan’s home of 40 years was destroyed. (ABC News: Jessica Longbottom)
He said he had lost about 900 bales of hay, two sheds and the entire contents of their home.
But “amazingly,” Mr Deelen said he returned to find his cattle had survived the blaze, resting in a blackened and burnt paddock.
“I wasn’t expecting that.”
Despite the fire ravaging his home, Don Deelan’s cattle survived. (ABC News: Jessica Longbottom)
While he was insured, Mr Deelen said he and his wife did not think they would rebuild.
“The damage is enormous,” he said.
More than 150 structures destroyed by Longwood fire
Mr Deelen’s house is among the numerous structures destroyed by the Longwood fire.
On Monday night, a State Control Centre spokesperson said it was believed the fire was ignited by a trailer throwing sparks on the Hume Freeway.
Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said 154 structures had been razed by the Longwood blaze.
Across the state, the ongoing bushfire disaster had claimed a total of 350 structures, he said.
Mr Wiebusch said on Monday afternoon there were still 12 major blazes burning, including two in the Otways, the Longwood fire, the Walwa fire in north-east Victoria, and the Harcourt fire near Bendigo.
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He said more than 1,000 agricultural properties had been impacted, while the Victorian Farmers Federation estimated the livestock loss was more than 15,000.
A man who died as a result of the Longwood fire has been identified as Max Hobson.
The cattle farmer’s death is the only fatality linked to the bushfires so far.
A man in his 60s was found dead in a vehicle in Harcourt on Friday, but police said his death was not directly linked to the fire.
Grants announced for bushfire victims
Today, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced further emergency assistance grants for people affected by the fires.
People needing to “re-establish their principal place of residence” are eligible to receive up to $52,250.
“It’s focused on people who do not have the insurance they needed to have,” Ms Allan said.
Several cars were destroyed in the bushfire in Harcourt. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)
Yesterday, the Commonwealth and Victorian governments announced a jointly funded $19.5 million package for support.
This includes $10 million for livestock fodder, $5 million for a recovery support program, $2 million for a recovery hotline, $1.5 million for emergency accommodation and $1 million for mental health support.
Harcourt’s heart in ruins but community stands strong
The state government is launching the 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal, with donations open online from Tuesday, January 13.
The government said 100 per cent of the donations would go to fire-affected communities.
There is only one Emergency warning in place, and that is for the Walwa fire in north-east Victoria.
The Otways fires and the Longwood fire are still not under control but have been downgraded to a Watch and Act warning.
For more information on the latest fire warnings for Victoria, visit the VicEmergency website.