WHAT could have been a rescue mission later turned into a beer run as an Augusta man set out across the sea to Windy Harbour last week.
After hearing the small village was trapped by the Northcliffe bushfires, Steve Hughes decided to take his own cray boat and cross more than 100 kilometres of ocean to help.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services reported Windy Harbour residents were under imminent threat last Wednesday due to the out-of-control bushfire located south of the Northcliffe townsite and west of Windy Harbour Road.
Augusta Sea Search and Rescue member Jarrah Smith said residents had evacuated their homes and were waiting on a beach. They had little opportunity to drive to safety, as the fire threatened major routes and thick smoke filled the area.
Mr Smith said his friend Mr Hughes was also a member of the Sea Rescue group, but had volunteered to make the trip alone as he had the time and resources.
“This guy’s doing it all off his own back,” Mr Smith said.
“It’s going to cost thousands of dollars in diesel.”
He said the Rescue Group’s boat was not big enough to bring back the estimated 40 or 50 people, which is why Mr Hughes chose to take his own, Mr Smith said.
Upon reaching the village however, Mr Hughes was told the fire threat had reduced and although people were still trapped, they did not need a ride back to Augusta.
I didn’t rescue anyone – I just took them some beer. They’d do the same for me.
- Stephen Hughes
Luckily the trip wasn’t for nothing.
Mr Hughes explained the main motivation had been to ‘rescue’ his mates by delivering refreshments.
“I’m not a hero or anything,” he said.
"I rang the caretaker at the house I own in Windy Harbour and asked how things were going and how John was going and Dianne said, John had run out of beer.”
Gathering six cartons of beer, a few bottles of white wine, a parcel of meat donated by the Augusta butcher, and a few other supplies, Mr Hughes made the trip over with his family.
“I didn’t rescue anyone – I just took them some beer,” he said.
“They’d do the same for me.”
Mr Hughes said he was relieved when he "turned the corner" into Windy Harbour to see his house still standing.
"I went through our papers and found it wasn't covered for fire insurance," he laughed.
"So I was relieved to see it."
Mr Hughes’ daughter Tahnee imagined the scene could have been horrendous if it hadn’t been for the wind change.
“There was smoke everywhere,” she said.
“We saw dead birds in the water, and black leaves.”
“All the way to the shoreline was burnt,” Mr Hughes added.
“It could have been nasty with the northerly wind.”
For updates on the fire, visit dfes.wa.gov.au
