Picking hope from the ashes

MARK Bryant was only six months into his job as a firefighter when he suffered burns to his face while entering a blazing home after hearing a family was inside.

It was 1998, and the Clarence firefighter was on night shift when the call came in that an Eastern Shore house was ablaze.

“We arrived at the Bounty Street home and a lady came up to the truck as I was getting out, yelling that kids were inside the burning home,” he said.

“We prepare as safe as we can with protocols, but at the time we made haste to attend to the blaze.

“There was fire burning out through the front door as we entered the building, and large amounts of steam and heat that hit me when the door opened.

“When I took my mask off after exiting, I found the side of my face was blistered.”

Mr Bryant said it was a “big relief” to find no one was inside the burning building.

Nine years later, the veteran firefighter was deployed to the historic Myer CBD blaze which forever altered the cityscape and left a gaping hole in the heart of Hobart for eight years.

He said fortunate weather on the day, coupled with a quick response from firefighters, likely prevented “the whole CBD block” from being destroyed.

“There is no doubt in my mind that had there been a strong north-westerly breeze, the Myer fire could have gone through to Collins St,” he said.

“We were lucky that the blaze drew air in and it went up through the roof.”

Mr Bryant said conditions were similar when he and crews from five stations responded to the 2013 act of arson which destroyed Hobart toy store Bridges Brothers.

“It was a similar situation in that we were trying to get enough resources around the fire to minimise the spread,”

Mr Bryant said. “Our crew’s single purpose was to put a water curtain up to stop the fire permeating into neighbouring business Cazaly Fitness.

“We were hosing out 4000 litres of water per minute. There was always going to be damage, but that was a minimal problem for us.”

Mr Bryant said the highlights from his 22-year career were “the good endings to bad problems”.

“We always go to something that is a problem for someone, whether it’s a house fire or an accident,” he said.

“Obviously, there isn’t always a successful outcome, but to know we’re going to a job where people actually want us to help is significant.

“To get a positive outcome makes you feel good about yourself.

“I think that’s why people get a good rise out of the job — ensuring that the community is safe.

“It’s pleasing to know our work is appreciated.”