While more than 100 people were processed at an evacuation centre in Wodonga, the facility became a bit of an animal house with about 20 dogs and a budgie also finding refuge from bush fires.
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Twin sisters Grace and Ruby Pattenden, 15, said the sky was blood red in Yackandandah before they left with their mum, neighbour, budgie Alvin and dog and two cats, which they took to the kennel on their way to The Cube.
Once at the shelter, Alvin was found a nice quiet space away from the dogs in the main foyer.
Michelle and Katie Lyon were at home in Barnawartha when they heard the first fire truck speed through their street.
Michelle said one siren turned into eight and then into 10.
A quick check of the online emergency updates and she learned 23 trucks were responding to a nearby fire.
"We've been through before and got worried, so we left real quick," she said. "We just grabbed the dog, Katie was the only one (other family member) home.
"It was pretty frightening, the neighbour’s son said to evacuate and we were gone in two minutes."
Taking only Burger the kavoodle, the pair didn't have time to get the clothes off the line as they left for Wodonga and had to leave their three cats behind which they couldn't catch.
Reunited with husband Justin at The Cube evacuation centre, Michelle said they were happy to be safe with their five children and Burger all accounted for.
She said all she wanted to do was go home to bed but that there would be "no Sunday roast ... it might be kranskies and bread instead".
Forty minutes later and an announcement over The Cube's intercom said "the Hume Freeway has been reopened".
Ten minutes later, the Lyon family happily headed back to Barnawartha.
Plenty of emergency service workers were on hand at The Cube as well as up to five community volunteers to help the dog owners.
One woman became emotional when volunteer Ann Wegener handed her pet a dog treat.
Ms Wegener said she was happy to help out and hoped people wouldn't have to stay all night away from their homes.
The dogs were all well behaved with no “accidents” inside the building while barking and rough housing were kept to a minimum.
