Australian store forced to throw out NZ$51,891 worth of food after fire ravages town

Independent Grocery Alliance (IGA) is an Australian chain of supermarkets photo / 123RF

A man has revealed how power outages caused by bushfires forced owners of a community store to throw away A$50,000 worth of spoiled food.

On Facebook, a store employee of IGA in Batehaven on the NSW south coast shared a series of photos showing two large skips filled with unsaleable goods.

"One of the most unfortunate jobs I've had was to clear stock out of our store that was spoiled with the power outages," the man captioned his post.

The employee said it had been a harrowing time for the three families who own the store and live in the area.

Power outages caused by bushfires forced IGA owners to throw away spoiled stock. Photo / File

He revealed despite two of the owners having lost homes to fires which ravaged the region on December 31, the store opened the following day to help locals in need.

"These guys wouldn't tell the world what they have lost or how it's impacted them personally but that's what makes them humble," he said.

"Jim and Dave both lost their homes in the fires, with only what possessions they could carry they evacuated and lost everything," he wrote on the post.

"Nathan & Kylie were more fortunate but as the fires burnt everything around their home they too were forced to seek shelter in the only place they could — our store."

The store employee said as fires ravaged the coast, the store lost power, communication with the outside world and in-coming supplies were cut off due to road closures.

The employee revealed after electricity was cut, food quickly spoiled in the heat, resulting in the store needing to throw out A$50,0000 worth of unsaleable product.

"And not once have they complained about what they lost," he said.

Although the knock-on effects of the fires continues to be felt, the employee said the store — and the community — are doing all they can to rebuild.

"Please don't mistake this for a pity post or a grab at attention but for awareness, there are 100 stories just like this all over the area about people going above and beyond to help others in any way they can," he said.

He closed his post by reminding people that tourism helps small communities at this time of year to survive and ongoing support was vital.

"Without the tourism this part of the world normally gets at this time of the year we really do suffer," he said. "Buy local, support small business, keep the community thriving."

Since sharing on Facebook, the store employee's post has generated more than 1000 reactions and has been shared by others more than 1200 times.

Many commenting have said how heartbroken they feel by the man's photos as well as for the devastating loss suffered by the shop keepers.

"So sorry to hear that they have lost their homes and stock off their shelves," said one person.

"Double blow but you opened your doors for others I saw the line-ups. How beautiful you are."