By Rowan Forster
A Harkaway hero is again being praised for his quick-thinking actions that saved a widow’s life, 10 years on.
On Black Saturday, Ian Foord risked life and limb to check on his neighbour, Gail Clay, who he had become close friends with after her husband passed away.
It turned into a lifesaving visit as Mr Foord arrived to discover Ms Clay indoors with her curtains sealed, completely oblivious to the impending firestorm.
If he had not arrived, Ms Clay would likely have perished.
He remained humble about his efforts, a decade later.
“It’s just human nature to make sure everybody around you is okay,” he said.
“The firefighters are the real heroes.”
In a Gazette report dating back to 2009, Mr Foord had detailed how he came to discover his neighbour inside the home.
“I could see the fire rolling up the hills,” he added.
“ I don’t know why, but I just thought I should check on Gail and make sure she was okay.
“I knocked on her front door, but there was no answer, so I knocked on the back door, and again, no answer, so I opened the door and shouted her name.”
In an intriguing contrast to today’s notifications and warnings, Ms Clay sat indoors completely unaware of the disaster.
She was watching a Clint Eastwood film with her air conditioner operating – and couldn’t even smell the smoke.
For Ms Clay, it was an extremely traumatic experience, given within minutes of escaping, her property had burst into flames.
“I had never seen anything like that,” she said.
“The fire just exploded into fireballs.”
“I just grabbed two photos of my children and my wedding rings and we left.”
While both have since relocated from the region, they will forever share a special memory of comradery and selflessness amid the trauma and destruction.
“It will stay with us forever,” she said.
“My body was numb while I watched it (the house) burn.
“There was memorabilia in the house – photos and a book of comments that people left after my husband passed.”
Harkaway and Narre Warren North were among the dozens of areas devastated during Black Saturday’s fires.
Anyone who has been triggered by the events of Black Saturday should call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
