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Crews gather to remember

Briana FioreBunbury Herald
The Leschenault Volunteer Bushfire Brigade was one of the brigades in attendance at the Yarloop tribute event.
Camera IconThe Leschenault Volunteer Bushfire Brigade was one of the brigades in attendance at the Yarloop tribute event. Credit: Briana Fiore/Briana Fiore

Crews from around the South West and Peel regions came together last week to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Yarloop fire.

The brutal blaze on January 7, 2016 killed two people and destroyed more than 160 homes.

Dardanup, Leschenault, Bunbury, Brunswick, Waroona and Waterloo were among the volunteer brigades in attendance.

The crews drove around the town and through the streets affected by the fire.

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The town has since been rebuilt — new houses, businesses and facilities have been resurrected after half a decade, however the memory of the fire still remains for many residents.

Yarloop Fire captain Matt Anzellino said his team hosts the event each year to remember the two lives lost and to thank the crews who came to help fight the fire.

“The support from other crews is amazing,” Mr Anzellino said.

“This tradition is to thank and honour the people who stood side-by-side with us and fought to save the community.

We are a big family and we all look out for each other.

Mr Anzellino said it was great to see new volunteers put their hand up to help.

“We’ve had about half a dozen new volunteers in Yarloop in the past year, which is great for a small rural brigade,” he said.

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