DEBRIEF: The hose was ready as firefighters debriefed a small group of people at the primary school on how to defend themselves against the flames.
Middle Indigo Primary School sat right in the firing line on Sunday as the people inside feared the worst.
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Just one brigade, from Baranduda, was there to defend the school against the fire alongside air support.
The Border Mail photographer Mark Jesser was at the school and said he was thankful when another two tankers showed up.
DARK DAY: A Baranduda CFA firefighter looks out at the flames on Monday which slowly crept toward the buildings at the Middle Indigo Primary School. Pictures: MARK JESSER
“We were there with the helicopters as the wind was changing,” he said.
“I was confronted by the reality things could go seriously wrong within a matter of minutes.
“We'd either have to seek shelter and defend ourselves with a hose, or I'd jump in the cab with the firefighters.”
Luckily the wind died down and earthmoving equipment arrived in time to create a containment line.
