A bushfire survivor has experienced a double blow after he lost his home in Western Australia‘s bushfire emergency.
Mark Norton was turned away by his bank, ANZ, and was unable to access cash because he no longer has a debit card.
The 65-year-old tried to get cash out from his bank during business hours when he had a conversation he didn’t expect.
“They said ‘we’ve balanced the till, we can’t help you’,” he said.
“And I said ‘really, this is not normal circumstances, my house has burnt down, I have nothing’… (they said) sorry can’t help you.”
Norton lost his pets and possessions when his home was destroyed in Thursday’s Parkerville inferno.
His property is insured and he is living in his caravan after the fire.
Norton said staff from ANZ Midland informed him they had closed early for Christmas and the branch wouldn’t re-open until January 1.
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“It was like a kick in the teeth,” he said.
“It was like not dealing with humans ’cause a human would have compassion – my house burnt down.”
Norton fled the flames with seconds to spare and his property was one of two homes lost that day.
After being contacted by 9News an ANZ spokesperson said the bank has apologised to Norton and has “reached out to him directly to ensure we can get him access to funds as soon as possible”.
While Norton’s immediate future is uncertain, he said he is certain he will switch banks after the experience.
“You shouldn’t treat people like that,” he said.
