A HEARTWARMING photo of a Dunalley firefighter returning home to his dogs after several days on the firefront has gone viral on the internet.
Cute canines Bindi and Maddy couldn't hide their excitement as Kevin Daly, a 56-year-old paramedic who is also a volunteer firefighter, came home for a well-earned rest on Tuesday.
The dogs clambered all over Mr Daly, who was still dressed in his smoke-soiled yellow overalls. Daughter Jessie Daly was so moved that she used her camera phone to capture the moment.
At the suggestion of friends, she later shared the photo on the Mercury's Facebook page.
Within hours the image went viral -- it already has about 58,000 likes, has been shared by 4500 people and attracted oodles of online comments.
The 26-year-old, who lives in South Launceston but visits Dunalley regularly, is thrilled that her photo -- which marked a happy ending to an emotionally charged few days for the family -- has provided a feel-good moment for tens of thousands of people around the world during a devastating time.
Mr Daly began fighting fires at Forcett last Thursday. By early afternoon last Friday, the threat to Dunalley -- where he has lived his entire life -- was apparent.
While he continued to battle the intense blaze, which wiped out at least 65 buildings in the small seaside town, Mr Daly's wife Carolyn, along with Jessie and the dogs, jumped in the car and headed for the safety of Nubeena.
The power was out in Dunalley and the sky had turned a frightening shade of orange.
"Dad rang and said they had completely lost control of [the fire], that it was coming down the hill like and steam train and that we needed to get out," Ms Daly said.
They spent a worrying night on the football oval, unsure if Mr Daly and other family members were safe, before eventually securing a spot on a ferry to Hobart.
The women were reunited with Mr Daly briefly on Sunday but it wasn't until Tuesday that he was able to clock-off from firefighting duties and go home to his family for a well-earned rest. This was when the photo was taken.
Fire burned up to the boundary of the Daly property, destroying a shed, but the family home was saved.
"The stories I have heard about my father and the lengths he went to on Friday to try to save his town are truly amazing," Ms Daly said.
"I am so proud to be his daughter.
"He has always been a hero in my eyes but now he truly stands a real hero."
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