A video on Givealittle shows what remains of the two houses. Video / Jesse Chinnock
A Kiwi family have lost two homes amid the devastating Australian bush fires.
The two properties, usually standing side by side in a small coastal town in New South Wales, are now rubble. And both belong to the family of Jesse Chinnock who grew up in New Zealand.
Houses inthe lakeside town of Conjola Park were levelled by a blaze locals did not think would reach them.
Just 24 hours earlier people could be seen fishing on the lake and children could be heard laughing.
But the Currowan fire ripped through the tiny town with a ferocity that brought angry red lines near the water's edge on New Year's Eve.
"There is nothing left. There is literally nothing left."
Chinnock's late father Keith was a former custodian of Khandallah Park in Wellington. There he also managed both the Keith Spry Pool and Khandallah pool for a number of years.
Chinnock had rushed to help
"It's pretty much been like we have been at war. I can't even begin to explain what it was like, trying to get back in there," Jesse Chinnock said.
The former Onslow College student had gone through roadblocks because he had no idea if his uncle had made it out okay.
"The last time I spoke to my uncle he said 'I'm going to stay, I'm not going to leave'."
The horror came amid blackout conditions; no power, no phone reception and no internet.
"I did everything I could to try get back in there."
But the reality is that his mum's entire street is pretty much gone.
"The whole of Conjola Park, it's like it has been wiped off the map," Chinnock said.
Chinnock used a water tanker borrowed from a mate in Sydney to fight back the flames when they threatened his home.
The dashboard told him it was 48 degrees outside during a quick run to town to grab fuel for a generator, an errand that would be interrupted by a life-threatening emergency.
A call for help from a mate whose house was under threat.
Soon followed by one from his wife Tammy who said her dad had gone there to fight it and her cousin too.
Chinnock rushed to join his family and the group soon became trapped.
There was one road in - a dodgy bush track down the hill with a fire sweeping across it.
He turned to his wife's cousin and asked how many beers he had.
The 37-year-old said his mother is now staying with him and his uncle is safe in Ulladulla.
"We are all doing the best we can. I'm still in shock."
He speaks of his young daughter Shye Aroha Chinnock with huge pride, calling her "one brave little solider".
She had been staying with other family for safety reasons but when it became a bit safer she returned home wanting to help cart water and help neighbours.
Chinnock has been left reeling trying to process everything that has happened.
Many of the men first met at Raroa intermediate in Johnsonville where, going on to schools Onslow College and Newlands College, they soon enjoyed a fierce rugby rivalry despite laughs off the field.
"You'd be lost without good mates and community, wouldn't ya?"
Waqasokolala, also 37, said for him it was the first time he had felt such a personal connection to a tremendous tragedy and they knew they had to help.
He said Chinnock was a person who always put others first and would give the shirt off his back if it helped.
His mates are getting together again on Saturday to plan what else they can to do to help.
