AS a fierce bushfire swept towards his Warragamba church on Christmas Day 2001, Catholic priest John Evans battled to save it - sacrificing his own house in the process.
Father Evans is among 42 bushfire victims suing the state of New South Wales for failing to alert them to the blaze that destroyed their homes and businesses.
The residents claim they received no warnings at all that a bushfire was bearing down on the townships of Warragamba, Silverdale and Mulgoa.
As a result, more than $10 million damage was caused, with houses and businesses lost to the flames, as well as "historic homes of national significance".
Among the items lost were "pieces of Australian history", including a set of diaries penned by explorer Gregory Blaxland.
The class action is being brought against such organisations as the Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire Brigades and National Parks and Wildlife Service.
During a preliminary hearing in the Supreme Court yesterday, barrister David Nock SC said authorities "knew or ought to have known" that a bushfire was sweeping toward the towns.
"There was a failure to notify (the townships) in sufficient time so residents could minimise damage to property," Mr Nock said.
He told the court that, at 11am on the day of the blaze, members of a local Rural Fire Service were dressed "in Father Christmas suits ringing a bell" rather than preparing to fight a bushfire.
For the rest of the story click here. Source: News.com.au
Although this is story is out of Australia, how long before a smiliar action is taken against a fire department in the United States?
Father Evans is among 42 bushfire victims suing the state of New South Wales for failing to alert them to the blaze that destroyed their homes and businesses.
The residents claim they received no warnings at all that a bushfire was bearing down on the townships of Warragamba, Silverdale and Mulgoa.
As a result, more than $10 million damage was caused, with houses and businesses lost to the flames, as well as "historic homes of national significance".
Among the items lost were "pieces of Australian history", including a set of diaries penned by explorer Gregory Blaxland.
The class action is being brought against such organisations as the Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire Brigades and National Parks and Wildlife Service.
During a preliminary hearing in the Supreme Court yesterday, barrister David Nock SC said authorities "knew or ought to have known" that a bushfire was sweeping toward the towns.
"There was a failure to notify (the townships) in sufficient time so residents could minimise damage to property," Mr Nock said.
He told the court that, at 11am on the day of the blaze, members of a local Rural Fire Service were dressed "in Father Christmas suits ringing a bell" rather than preparing to fight a bushfire.
For the rest of the story click here. Source: News.com.au
Although this is story is out of Australia, how long before a smiliar action is taken against a fire department in the United States?
