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Victoria to remember Black Saturday fires

A decade on from Victoria's Black Saturday bushfires that claimed 173 lives, Melbourne is preparing to host a state commemorative service.

A woman who watched her home go up in flames in Victoria's deadliest bushfires a decade ago still has no desire to leave the fire prone area.

Aeumporn Baker came home from work during the Black Saturday bushfires on February 7 to see her town and surrounding area engulfed in flames.

"I saw houses burn down one by one. The flames came through the roof ... and then I get out and I stand in my house and watching it burn"," she told AAP.

"I saw my house explode."

A decade on from the nation's worst natural disaster, which claimed 173 lives, Ms Baker still suffers nightmares.

She's since moved to Marysville - one of the towns hardest hit by the devastating fires.

"I will never go anywhere, I love Marysville," she said.

Her story will be one of many that Victorians reflect upon on Monday as a commemoration is held in Melbourne ahead of the 10th anniversary on Thursday.

The event begins at 6pm and will also be live streamed.

Flags will be flown at half mast on both days.

Premier Daniel Andrews, who is expected to attend the event at the Royal Exhibition Building, said it was a chance for Victorians to grieve, remember and celebrate.

"It'll be an opportunity for us not only to grieve and to mourn, to remember those that are not with us anymore but to send our love and support to those who still carry that burden of grief," he said.

Other events are planned across Victoria in the lead-up to the anniversary.

Murrindindi Mayor Sandice McAulay, who fought the fire on her Taggerty property, said she was proud of the community and its resilience to rebuild.

"People have got to the stage that they want to acknowledge and reflect on Thursday and then move on," Cr McAulay said.

"It is a hard time every year. It doesn't go away and the anniversary is a time to reflect."


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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