A woman covered in ash and eyes red-rimmed from smoke collapses in a stranger's arms sobbing with loss.
"It's okay you're safe, we will look after you" were the first words of comfort she heard.
The woman had fought bravely to keep the fire at bay and retreated when the situation was too dangerous.
She was not alone.
Many farmers and townsfolk who had been battling the elements to protect their homes, their livestock and their livelihoods had to evacuate as the fire front west of Kempsey was about to change for the worse.
Some came with only the shirt on their backs, others managed to gather what they could fit into their car with pets and livestock in tow.
But what was evident was the generosity of the Macleay Valley, like many across the state, that could not be put into words.
What started with a handful of bags sitting at Kempsey Showground front door - the evacuation centre - on Saturday turned into mountains.
I watched with pride for my community as an army of volunteers responded to those in need by taking the arm of someone who had lost everything to help them find new clothes, bedding and toiletries to those who baked meals and made cups of tea.
At the helm was Kempsey Shire Council's Mayor Liz Campbell and general manager Craig Milburn who were liaising with department agencies and charities to make sure people's needs were catered for.
Days later that woman who collapsed into a stranger's arm after watching her house burn said "we will never forget what you have done for us."
The thing is anyone who volunteered to help will never forget either. November 2019 will be forever etched in their memories.