'Like an atomic bomb': Small town unrecognisable as fire destroys homes

Friday, 9 January 2026 17:45

A major bushfire that has destroyed homes and left three people missing in central Victoria has created scenes that a local firefighter has likened to an "atomic bomb".

The out-of-control blaze in Longwood has already burnt more than 48,000 hectares of land around the townships of Ruffy, Tarcombe, Caveat and Dropmore as the state battles the most dangerous conditions since the Black Summer fires.

In the small town of Ruffy, south of the fire, at least 10 homes have been destroyed.

A major bushfire that has destroyed homes and left three people missing in central Victoria has created scenes that a local firefighter has likened to an "atomic bomb".

"It looks like an atomic bomb has gone off," CFA Captain George Noye told ABC this morning.

"We've lost the old school, the old Ruffy produce store is gone, three houses on the main street.

"We've lost countless homes across the area. Ten of my firefighters that I know of have lost homes."

Noye told 9News this afternoon that the fire has cleared homes, buildings and livestock.

"There's not much left. It's just ash. If we go away to a lot of fires, and we see this happen with communities... It's devastating," he said, becoming visibly emotional.

George Noye became visibly emotional speaking about the damage to Ruffy.

Three people also remain missing in nearby Longwood East.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Robert Hill said firefighters had come across a man, woman and child near a home and advised them to take shelter because it was too late to evacuate.

Those firefighters later went back to the home and saw it had been destroyed by the fire.

"Those three people remain unaccounted for. Where that house has been destroyed is still a hot spot, and we are yet to be able to put the strike team from the fire services into that area to conduct an assessment for us," Hill said.

The Longwood fire has been described as "incredibly dynamic" with emergency services warning it is spreading in multiple directions.

Residents in the impact zone have been told it is too late to leave and shelter now, while others in potential impact areas are urged to evacuate now.

Victoria is experiencing extreme fire conditions due to the peaking heatwave and strong, dry winds.

The Longwood bushfire is threatening to spread in multiple directions.

There are currently seven emergency bushfires burning across the state in Longwood, Walwa, Streatham, Natimuk, Harcourt and Ravenswood, Muckatah and Bamganie.

Temperatures reached 46.7 degrees in Walpeup and 42.9 degrees in Melbourne.

A total fire ban is in place for all of Victoria today.

For all the latest updates and advice on fires, visit the VicEmergency website

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