Man survives bushfire hiding in pottery kiln as Australian town is almost wiped out

Bianca Britton
By Bianca Britton, CNN
Updated 5:46 AM EST, Mon December 30, 2019
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(CNN) —  

As bushfires continue to burn out of control across Australia – engulfing whole towns and leaving little behind but for the charred remains of people’s homes – remarkable stories of survival have surfaced from the state of New South Wales (NSW).

Steve Harrison, a 67-year-old potter, hid in a makeshift kiln to insulate him from the flames as his property was destroyed. He told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that he had stayed behind to defend his home in Balmoral, a community south-west of Sydney that has been devastated by the blazes.

“I ran to my ute (pickup truck) but my garden was already on fire, the driveway was on fire, the road was on fire so I couldn’t evacuate,” Harrison said. “The day before I had actually built myself a small kiln down the back – a coffin-sized kiln – just big enough for me to crawl inside.”

Steve Harrison hid in a makeshift kiln after realizing it was too late to evacuate.
PHOTO: Reuters/ABC
Steve Harrison hid in a makeshift kiln after realizing it was too late to evacuate.

Harrison hid in the kiln for half an hour as the “firestorm” raged.

“It was huge, just glowing orange-red everywhere. Just scary. I was terrified,” he recalled. “I could have (died) if I hadn’t thought about plan B. In that little kiln enclosure I made, I had a fire extinguisher, a bucket of water, a drinking water bottle and a fire blanket.”

An old Beetle burns from bushfires in Balmoral, 150 kilometres southwest of Sydney.
PHOTO: PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images
An old Beetle burns from bushfires in Balmoral, 150 kilometres southwest of Sydney.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters at a press conference on Sunday that there was “not much left” of Balmoral, which is home to around 400 people and 150 properties. It was the second time in three days that fires ravaged the area.

“We’ve got the devastating news there’s not much left in the town of Balmoral,” Berejiklian said, adding that “it could take years to rebuild.”

An emotional firefighter hit back at claims that emergency responders did not do enough to save the town.

The firefighter, known only as Greg, choked up as he told radio station 2GB of the “horrific” conditions the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) endured.

“Balmoral has not been wiped off the map. It is not almost gone, it is all still there,” he said.

“The suggestion that we failed in defending that village … I don’t know how the other guys will take that, but for me personally – I’m quite offended at the suggestion that we lost that village because we didn’t,” he said, adding, “I had mates hospitalized.”

Animal rescuer Marcus Fillinger carries a burned kangaroo on February 4 in Peak View, Australia. Fillinger tranquilized the wounded animal for transport to a recovery center.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: John Moore/Getty Images
Animal rescuer Marcus Fillinger carries a burned kangaroo on February 4 in Peak View, Australia. Fillinger tranquilized the wounded animal for transport to a recovery center.
A bushfire burns near the town of Bumbalong, south of Canberra on February 2.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images
A bushfire burns near the town of Bumbalong, south of Canberra on February 2.
Horses panic as a fire burns near Canberra, Australia, on Saturday, February 1.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images
Horses panic as a fire burns near Canberra, Australia, on Saturday, February 1.
A firefighter coats a bridge with foam as a bushfire burns near Moruya, Australia, on Saturday, January 25.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Noah Berger/AP
A firefighter coats a bridge with foam as a bushfire burns near Moruya, Australia, on Saturday, January 25.
In this long-exposure photo, a car's taillights streak at left as a wildfire glows at dusk near Clear Range, Australia, on Friday, January 31.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Rick Rycroft/AP
In this long-exposure photo, a car's taillights streak at left as a wildfire glows at dusk near Clear Range, Australia, on Friday, January 31.
An airplane dumps fire retardant behind houses at the foot of Mount Tennent as fire creeps through the Namadgi National Park in Canberra on Thursday, January 30.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images
An airplane dumps fire retardant behind houses at the foot of Mount Tennent as fire creeps through the Namadgi National Park in Canberra on Thursday, January 30.
People embrace near the scene of a water tanker plane crash in Cooma, Australia, on Thursday, January 23. Three American crew members died in the crash.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Jenny Evans/Getty Images
People embrace near the scene of a water tanker plane crash in Cooma, Australia, on Thursday, January 23. Three American crew members died in the crash.
Flying embers are seen in this long-exposure photo from Moruya on Thursday, January 23.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Sam Mooy/Getty Images
Flying embers are seen in this long-exposure photo from Moruya on Thursday, January 23.
A young koala named Jeremy receives medical attention for burns at the Healesville Sanctuary in Badger Creek, Australia, on January 23.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: David Crosling/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
A young koala named Jeremy receives medical attention for burns at the Healesville Sanctuary in Badger Creek, Australia, on January 23.
Firefighters battle the Morton Fire as it burns a home near Bundanoon, Australia, on January 23.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Noah Berger/AP
Firefighters battle the Morton Fire as it burns a home near Bundanoon, Australia, on January 23.
The Parliament House in Canberra is blanketed by bushfire smoke on January 23.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Mark Evans/Getty Images
The Parliament House in Canberra is blanketed by bushfire smoke on January 23.
A firefighter battles the Morton Fire as it consumes a home near Bundanoon on January 23.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Noah Berger/AP
A firefighter battles the Morton Fire as it consumes a home near Bundanoon on January 23.
Veterinarian Ludo Valenza holds two grey-headed flying foxes, which were being treated for bushfire injuries at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital in Beerwah, Australia, on Wednesday, January 15.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Darren England/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Veterinarian Ludo Valenza holds two grey-headed flying foxes, which were being treated for bushfire injuries at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital in Beerwah, Australia, on Wednesday, January 15.
Lt. Kynan Lang from the 10th/27th Battalion visits the scene where his uncle and cousin died in a bushfire on Australia's Kangaroo Island.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: CPL Tristan Kennedy/Australian Department of Defence
Lt. Kynan Lang from the 10th/27th Battalion visits the scene where his uncle and cousin died in a bushfire on Australia's Kangaroo Island.
A smoky haze from bushfires hovers over the Melbourne skyline ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament on Tuesday, January 14. Poor air quality disrupted the qualifying rounds of the tournament.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: William West/AFP/Getty Images
A smoky haze from bushfires hovers over the Melbourne skyline ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament on Tuesday, January 14. Poor air quality disrupted the qualifying rounds of the tournament.
Properties damaged and destroyed by fire are seen in Nerrigundah, Australia, on Monday, January 13.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Sam McNeil/AP
Properties damaged and destroyed by fire are seen in Nerrigundah, Australia, on Monday, January 13.
Debris remains where houses stood in the Australian village of Wingello on January 13.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Chu Chen/Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images
Debris remains where houses stood in the Australian village of Wingello on January 13.
Bonnie Morris and sister Raemi Morris look on as their family and firefighters battle bushfires at the edge of their family farm in Karatta on Saturday, January 11.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
Bonnie Morris and sister Raemi Morris look on as their family and firefighters battle bushfires at the edge of their family farm in Karatta on Saturday, January 11.
Pictures of firefighters are projected onto the Sydney Opera House on January 11.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Don Arnold/Getty Images
Pictures of firefighters are projected onto the Sydney Opera House on January 11.
A vehicle makes its way through thick fog mixed with bushfire smoke in the Ruined Castle area of the Blue Mountains on January 11.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images
A vehicle makes its way through thick fog mixed with bushfire smoke in the Ruined Castle area of the Blue Mountains on January 11.
Protesters march through downtown Melbourne on Friday, January 10, in response to the ongoing bushfire crisis.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Protesters march through downtown Melbourne on Friday, January 10, in response to the ongoing bushfire crisis.
An aerial view shows a track running through trees that were scorched by bushfires in East Gippsland, Australia, on Thursday, January 9.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg/Getty Images
An aerial view shows a track running through trees that were scorched by bushfires in East Gippsland, Australia, on Thursday, January 9.
A pile of wood chips burns at a timber mill in Eden, Australia, on January 9.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Sean Davey/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
A pile of wood chips burns at a timber mill in Eden, Australia, on January 9.
Lisa Poulsen tends to her Clydesdale horse, Jake, on January 9. Jake suffered burn injuries in a bushfire on December 31.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Sean Davey/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Lisa Poulsen tends to her Clydesdale horse, Jake, on January 9. Jake suffered burn injuries in a bushfire on December 31.
A small wave of black water full of burned debris breaks at a beach at Eden on January 9.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Rick Rycroft/AP
A small wave of black water full of burned debris breaks at a beach at Eden on January 9.
A dead kangaroo lies on a burnt farm in Batlow.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images
A dead kangaroo lies on a burnt farm in Batlow.
A firefighter backs away from flames after lighting a controlled burn near Tomerong on January 8.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Rick Rycroft/AP
A firefighter backs away from flames after lighting a controlled burn near Tomerong on January 8.
Stephenie Bailey is embraced on Wednesday, January 8, as she describes the impact the bushfires have had on her farm in Batlow.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images
Stephenie Bailey is embraced on Wednesday, January 8, as she describes the impact the bushfires have had on her farm in Batlow.
Charlotte O'Dwyer, the young daughter of Rural Fire Service volunteer Andrew O'Dwyer, wears her father's helmet during his funeral after being presented with a service medal in his honor by RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons on Tuesday, January 7, in Sydney.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Dean Lewins-Pool/Getty Images
Charlotte O'Dwyer, the young daughter of Rural Fire Service volunteer Andrew O'Dwyer, wears her father's helmet during his funeral after being presented with a service medal in his honor by RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons on Tuesday, January 7, in Sydney.
A resident throws a bucket of water onto a smoldering tree on his property on Monday, January 6, in Wingello, Australia.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images
A resident throws a bucket of water onto a smoldering tree on his property on Monday, January 6, in Wingello, Australia.
A military helicopter flies above a burning woodchip mill in Eden, New South Wales, on January 6.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images
A military helicopter flies above a burning woodchip mill in Eden, New South Wales, on January 6.
A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk "Romeo" helicopter refuels onboard HMAS Adelaide during Operation Bushfire Assist, on Sunday, January 5, in this image provided by the Australian Department of Defence. HMAS Adelaide and army reserve forces have been assisting with bushfire evacuations on the southern coast of New South Wales.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Handout/ABIS/Thomas Sawtell/Australian Department of Defence/Getty Images
A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk "Romeo" helicopter refuels onboard HMAS Adelaide during Operation Bushfire Assist, on Sunday, January 5, in this image provided by the Australian Department of Defence. HMAS Adelaide and army reserve forces have been assisting with bushfire evacuations on the southern coast of New South Wales.
Families are evacuated by air from Mallacoota on January 5.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Justin McManus/Fairfax Media via Getty Images
Families are evacuated by air from Mallacoota on January 5.
A man walks past ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula on January 5.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images
A man walks past ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula on January 5.
The flight deck of a C-130J Hercules is lit by the red glow of the fires below as the aircrew attempts to land in Merimbula to drop off fire and rescue crews to assist fighting the bushfires on January 5.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Corporal Nicole Dorrett/Australian Department of Defence via Getty Images
The flight deck of a C-130J Hercules is lit by the red glow of the fires below as the aircrew attempts to land in Merimbula to drop off fire and rescue crews to assist fighting the bushfires on January 5.
This satellite image provided by NASA on Saturday, January 4, shows smoke from fires burning in Victoria and New South Wales.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: NASA via AP
This satellite image provided by NASA on Saturday, January 4, shows smoke from fires burning in Victoria and New South Wales.
A father holds his daughter as the skies above turn red during the day on January 4 in Mallacoota, Australia. Many parents with young children were stuck in Mallacoota after flights were grounded because of smoke and only school-aged children and older were allowed to evacuate by boat.
Photos: In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
PHOTO: Justin McManus/The Age/Fairfax Media via Getty Images
A father holds his daughter as the skies above turn red during the day on January 4 in Mallacoota, Australia. Many parents with young children were stuck in M