Waroona residents tell terrifying tale of being at the centre of the Nanga Brook Bushfires

Reconnecting after 35 years Craig Hartshorn and and Tracey Johnstone settled just outside Waroona late last year looking for a fresh start.

But when the Nanga Brook bushfires tore through 3000ha of bushland last month, the couple were fearing for their lives in the heart of the inferno.

Ms Johnstone said they were in town when the fire started, receiving a phone call telling her danger was quickly approaching.

Running home they saw a wall of smoke approaching their property.

“We came home, and there were embers all over the front lawn,” she said.

Ms Johnstone said they grabbed what they could and took their caravan into Waroona, where the could only stand and watch.

She was told her house was lost in the fire at first, and was later shocked and relieved to hear it was still standing.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Mr Hartshorn said.

“It was just a roller-coaster of emotions to be told our house is gone, then to find out it’s OK.”

After fleeing on the Saturday the couple were able to get back home on Tuesday to feed their calf.

Ms Johnstone said she entered the house only to quickly hear Mr Hartshorn yell at her to get out.

“I was in the bedroom and I looked out the window, in a matter of no time there was flames and smoke coming towards us,” she said.

Thankfully the firefighters on patrol were quick to intervene. When the couple asked if it was safe to leave they were told the safest place for them was to stay with the fire fighters.

Ms Johnstone said she was stuck, watching flames slowly creep closer to their home as helicopters and planes flew through the smoke overhead before being forced to evacuate in a firetruck.

The couple tried again to return home on the Thursday but were forced to evacuate for a third time.

Finally given the all clear on Friday the couple approached their home filled with anxiety as stumps continued to smoulder.

Ms Johnstone said they have both had nightmares about their experience and even a month on, their home still smells of smoke.

“We thought everything was so perfect only to, all of a sudden, have something like that come into your life,” Mr Hartshorn said.

“Tracey and I have both been so strong for each other, we’ve had a special chance to get back together and start a new life.

Ms Johnstone spoke of one interaction during the inferno where one kind firefighter spoke on the phone with her as they fed the couple’s calf.

To express their immeasurable thanks to the firefighters and community Mr Hartshorn and Ms Johnstone approached the shire asking if they could preform at Saturday’s thank you breakfast for the firefighters.

“We wanted to preform to show our appreciation and give a huge thank you,” Ms Johnstone said.

“We wanted to give back and say thank you to everyone for what they have done for us,” Mr Hartshorn said.