Arabic version: متقاعدان من داروين يفقدان منزلهما في حريق أحراش ليفينغستون

According to ABC News, Darwin retirees Graham and Margaret Doyle lost their Livingstone home and most of their possessions after a bushfire swept across their rural property on Sunday afternoon.

The couple had lived at the property on Darwin’s outskirts for 32 years. They were watching football and preparing dinner when Margaret Doyle smelled smoke. Graham Doyle said flames were racing towards the house and they had only minutes to escape, managing to get their three dogs outside.

Mr Doyle said he tried to fight the fire, but a garden hose burnt through and a fireball stopped his efforts. He was taken to hospital with minor burns and smoke inhalation. Returning to the site on Tuesday in donated clothes and shoes, he searched the rubble for his glasses and his wife’s engagement and wedding rings.

Bushfires NT Incident Controller Nathaniel Staniford said one house was severely impacted by the fire. He said high fuel loads, including gamba grass on properties where the blaze broke containment lines, contributed to its intensity and rapid spread. Additional crews were called because the fire could affect multiple properties.

A crowdfunding campaign created by the couple’s granddaughter had raised more than $8,000. Graham Doyle said the pair had been unable to insure their home because of historical stormwater drainage issues, and were considering finding a cheap caravan while they work out where to live.