Thousands open homes to fire evacuees

PHOTO: Bushfire arrived into the township of Malua Bay, just south of Batemans Bay. New Year’s Eve. Picture: Alex Coppel. Source: News Corp Australia

Thousands of Aussies have opened their houses, units and investment properties as free emergency accommodation for people fleeing devastating firestorms that raged across three states.

Multiple sites have opened up with zero cost for emergency accommodation in properties normally listed for up to hundreds of dollars a night, while individuals have also begun co-ordinating online efforts to link those needing a bed with those offering accommodation.

The Australian East Coast has been hard hit this bushfire season, with Queensland seeing fires start as early as September last year, continuing through to December, while New South Wales and Victoria now have extreme danger zones with whole communities on alert or evacuating.

Writer Erin Riley was among those who’ve jumped in to help via her “Find a Bed” initiative.

“The biggest challenge we have right now is getting the message out to people in need,” she told News Corp Australia. “Over 500 people have volunteered their homes, but it’s hard to get the message out to people who are stranded with limited coverage. The response from people willing to help, though, has been absolutely amazing.”