'Broken': Family hit with third tragedy after bushfire deaths

The family of a father and son who died trying to defend their home from a raging bushfire are now grieving the devastating death of a third member in just 30 hours.

Patrick Salway, a 29-year-old dairy farmer, died alongside his 63-year-old father, Robert, on New Year’s Eve while trying to protect their family property in Cobargo, a small township west of Bermagui on the NSW south coast.

Robert’s wife had fled the property on Monday, but returned on Tuesday to find their bodies.

A family member has since been revealed that Robert’s elderly mother, Edna, “peacefully passed away” on January 1, just one day later.

“Tragically, we enter 2020 with the most devastating news of our lives,” Dean Hancock wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

Mr Hancock is married to Kellie-Anne, who was Robert’s daughter, and Patrick’s sister.

“At about 5am on Tuesday morning, Kellie-Anne’s father Robert and brother Patrick were hit by a fireball, defending Robert and Janelle’s beloved Salway Family home. Tragically, they did not survive,” Mr Hancock said.

“We are all absolutely devastated,” Mr Hancock said.

“Broken....”

Mr Hancock said his wife was “doing ok”.

• 'Felt like armageddon': Desperate efforts to save zoo animals in path of encroaching blaze

• Volunteer firefighter killed in 'fire tornado' was expecting first child

“Although, her family being cut off, both by road and communication, is making it very hard to grieve the way she needs to,” he said.

Mr Hancock described Robert and Patrick as “two of the most genuine and family-oriented men” he had ever met.

“I am and always will be, honoured to have had Robert as my father-in-law and Patrick as my brother-in-law.

“You will leave a massive, massive hole in the dynamic of, not only this family, but the whole community.”

Patrick’s wife Renee made a touching Facebook post paying tribute to her husband on Tuesday.

“I love you now, I love you still, I always have and I always will,” she wrote.

“I will see you again Patrick, my best friend.”

Patrick and Renee had a young son, Harley.

Mr Hancock also revealed the family had been faced with a fraudulent GoFundMe page amid their heartbreak.

He said that fundraiser had raised $4000 at the time of his post and had been reported to the police.

Mr Hancock said there was one authorised fundraiser, which had raised more than $15,000 for the family.

On Tuesday, RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons confirmed dozens of homes and properties had been destroyed in Cobargo.

The Badja Forest Road fire, which tore through Cobargo, is still burning out of control, according to RFS.

While the fire has already passed through the town, people are still being urged to be alert of falling trees and branches, and areas of active fires.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.