Bushfire Survivors Share Stories: Grocery Shopping by Torchlight in Yea (2026)

Shoppers in Yea, Australia, braved the darkness and waited in line, guided by torchlight, as a bushfire left the town without power. The FoodWorks supermarket was operating on a cash-only basis, with staff using torches to navigate the aisles and assist customers. Some shoppers were stocking up on essentials like milk and bread, while others needed items like coffee, tomatoes, and Milo. Fiona Purvis, a local, was preparing her esky with the bare necessities, ensuring her family's safety on their 800-acre property near the Goulburn River. Worker Adam Kupke mentioned that the supermarket had a generator, but it malfunctioned overnight, adding to the challenges faced by the community. The region has endured immense devastation, with hundreds of buildings and homes destroyed, yet remarkably, no lives lost. However, there have been numerous close calls, as evidenced by the dramatic air rescue of a 92-year-old man, his 82-year-old sister, and their cat, who sought refuge in a shipping container as the fire raged around them.

Bushfire Survivors Share Stories: Grocery Shopping by Torchlight in Yea (2026)

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