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General News

19 January, 2026

Between two homes and a firestorm

WHEN the fire came to Carranballac, Isobel Fay did not run. She stayed. The wind was already howling across the paddocks when flames began to push toward her parents’ property, carried on a day of searing heat and conditions so dangerous that even seasoned firefighters later described them as near unstoppable.

By Henry Dalkin

Jumping in and lending a hand with the recovery efforts at Riponhurst on Wednesday, from left: Anita Burchell, Isobel Fay, Katie Fay, George Fay, Amy Lodge and Leah Holt.
Jumping in and lending a hand with the recovery efforts at Riponhurst on Wednesday, from left: Anita Burchell, Isobel Fay, Katie Fay, George Fay, Amy Lodge and Leah Holt.

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