Laurieton United Services Club acts as evacuation centre for Camden Haven residents

- by Peter Daniels

​Twelve hundred people flocked to the Laurieton United Services Club at the height of Friday night's emergency warning as bushfires threatened the southern end of the local government area.

As a shelter from the threat, there were also some 130 animals including lizards, birds, dogs and cats.

Many had bunkered down for the night, expecting to stay for the long haul, said the club's secretary manager Rob Dwyer.

"What unfolded last night (November 8) was a fantastic attribute to this community," he said.

"Under trying conditions they came together for the benefit of everyone.

"Our community and staff did a wonderful job last night.

"We had residents from Kew, Kendall, Dunbogan, Laurieton and Johns River here.

"The camaraderie among everyone was really quite special," he said.

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