"We saw the red hot magma monsters. They were feasting on our homes," wrote Reuben in year 3.
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"We had to evacuate. We rushed to the car. Embers were flying and the smoke was dark."
Vivid and arresting, children from Gilgai Public School have poured their emotions onto paper following the devastating Tingha Plateau fires. The school closed as the natural disaster escalated, and students were evacuated to Inverell Public School.
Many of the youngsters' homes in Gilgai, Tingha or the surrounding areas were under threat, and several remained in evacuation centres for the duration.
As their lives began returning to normal following the peak of the emergency, teachers invited the students to share their stories through art pieces and poetry.
"Students from K-6 engaged in creative writing and produced outstanding artworks. It has been very exciting for the students to publish their work," teacher Catherine Lyell said.
Wendi Townsend was astounded by the complex imagery and raw emotions the children were able to weave into their work.
"The fire went boo! When it got out of bed. Hoses useless to the blood red wall of flames," Alex (year 3) wrote.
Bentley (year 1) drew a picture of Elvis, the water bombing helicopter, which he saw in action during the fires.
Alira Mills drew her own house in Tingha, which was under threat during the peak of the fires.
"At the back of my house it was all burnt up, and the helicopter had to drop two buckets of water," she said.
Her older sister Ebony Mills remembers rushing about with family members, unsure of what to take with them.
"We were sad that we didn't really want the house to go," she said. She worried about her dad, who stayed behind to fight off the flames.
"I was like - I don't care if the house burns down, dad's more important. Family's more important."
While charred, the girls' home was still standing after the fire moved on, but it is an experience Ebony will never forget. She appreciated having the chance to talk about it with her classmates and put her memories on paper.
"It was actually really good to let out everything," she said.