CAVEAT, VIC. — The Victoria Police Air Wing transported two generations of a family and their beloved cat to safety on Saturday after fire ravaged their remote property in Caveat during the week.
Two women, aged 59 and 82, and a 92-year-old man called emergency services Friday afternoon seeking assistance to evacuate their isolated property on Caveat-Dropmore Road, according to Air Wing Tactical Flight Officer LSC Brittany Smith.
“The destruction we can see from the air is heartbreaking,” LSC Smith said.
After trying to manage the conditions for two days, including the complete loss of their home by fire, the 59-year-old woman called for help with concerns for the health of her mother and uncle.
Police have been informed that the family took refuge in a shipping container on their property, seeking safety as the fire swept through the area on Wednesday, January 7. The trio also slept in their vehicle Friday night.
“By no means do we encourage people to shelter in shipping containers however, on this occasion, all I can say is this family is extremely lucky,” LSC Smith said.
With no clear road access to the property, the Air Wing was called in just before 7am on Saturday, January 10, and tactical flight officers landed onsite about 8.30am.
The trio, along with their beautiful feline named Grisha also affectionately known as ‘Bubba’, were loaded into the chopper and transported back to Seymour.
They were assessed by ambulance paramedics and Bubba provided some much-needed water by syringe.
It is believed the 82-year-old woman’s hair was scorched by the fire, and she was treated for burns to her hands.
“It was good we were able to get in and get them out. We were glad we could provide assistance when they needed us,” LSC Smith said.
