Name: State of Disaster declared as bushfires rage across Victoria
Uploaded: 2026-01-10T06:09:51.849Z
Duration: 2 min 20 s
Description: A severe and terrifying bushfire emergency is continuing to unfold across Victoria. A wind change has whipped up flames in Harcourt, near Bendigo, forcing the state’s Premier to declare a state of disaster.

A severe and terrifying bushfire emergency is continuing to unfold across Victoria. A wind change has whipped up flames in Harcourt, near Bendigo, forcing the state’s Premier to declare a state of disaster.

Harcourt

A significant fire in Harcourt, Victoria has resulted in the destruction of at least 50 structures, including homes and the historic 1859 railway bridge. The fire, which burned over 3,000 hectares, left the town without electricity and forced residents to seek immediate shelter, with many unsure about their future rebuilding plans.

The blaze also led to the suspension of train services between Bendigo and Melbourne and claimed the life of a man in his 60s, found unresponsive while preparing for the fire. Emergency alerts have since been downgraded, but spot fires and smoke continue to affect the area as the community copes with loss and disruption.

State of Disaster declared as bushfires rage across Victoria

Ray and Loretta Rice have lived in Harcourt their entire lives. Now, at the age of 79, they're going to have to start again. Devastated, I guess, yeah. They've been holding together until now. So, this is, this is, yeah, this is all ours. Was. When their previous house was acquired by the state government 20 years ago to redevelop the Calder Freeway, the couple built what they thought would be their forever home. Last night, that forever home went up in flames. Lifetime of memories, spawn and bread. Probably hasn't hit me yet. Across the road, Ray's brother, Tyrone, lost everything too. A long-time CFA member, he was out fighting fires, helping save the homes of others, while his own burnt to the ground. It was gut-wrenching in a sense, but it can be rebuilt. We've got our lives, we've got our safety. They'll be the memories we've got in our heads now, because we haven't got the hard copies. Coolstore Road, ground zero for the destruction in Harcourt. Fire swept through with reckless abandon, seemingly selecting houses at random. Some homes untouched, while others merely metres away were reduced to rubble. Spot fires continue to spark as smoke billows across the town. In a matter of literally seconds, I watched the whole top of the mountain and the ridge just light up in a glow. While the fire has so far spared lives, the community is grieving the loss of one of their own, who was preparing for the fight. A man in his 60s found unresponsive in a vehicle in his own paddock. The fact that this death has occurred in such close proximity to the fire ground means that this is a community that is grieving. Among the structures impacted by fire was this historic railway bridge built in 1859. It's likely trains running between Bendigo and Melbourne won't operate for weeks, if not months. At least 50 structures have been lost in Harcourt, with the fire stretching 3,008 hectares in a blaze that erupted instantaneously. The town remains without electricity, but the emergency alert has been downgraded to a watch and act. Locals not yet thinking about how they'll rebuild. The only question on their mind is where they're going to stay tonight. Sam Mills, 10 News.

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