Almost three years after Australia's catastrophic Black Summer bushfires, senior members of the NSW Rural Fire Service met with a "wounded" community demanding an apology.
Sam Ramaci, like several of his neighbours, claims a back-burn lit by the RFS on December 14, 2019, was responsible for the destruction of his cool room, tractor and the property that was to fund his retirement.
"If they hadn't started the back-burn, my house would be still standing," he said.
The Mount Wilson back-burn was intended to protect several Blue Mountains communities from the Gospers Mountain fire, burning to the north.
But as weather conditions deteriorated, fire crews lost control and up to 20 structures were destroyed.
Independent analysis found the blaze burned for 53 days, destroyed 63,700 hectares, and would go on to make up part of the biggest forest fire in Australian history.
Berambing resident Michelle Leer, whose 30 acres of land was blackened in the aftermath, told the community meeting "the RFS failed".
"Our confidence has been shaken … in the people from Sydney who made the decision," she said.
"I would like to know who made the call to start the back-burn despite locals saying 'no.'"
Other residents raised issues of communication, stating they were unaware the back-burn was lit or that it later escaped containment lines.
RFS Assistant Commissioner Jayson McKellar addressed the town hall.
"We're sorry for the heartache, the pain, the anguish that everyone's been through, especially those who lost property … and those who lost their life," he said.
When asked directly, Superintendent Karen Hodges, who was the incident controller on the day of the back-burn, offered some answers but reiterated they were "restricted" in what could be said.
"There was a lot of people involved in the planning and the implementation of that back-burn," Superintendent Karen Hodges said, who was the incident controller of the Gospers Mountain blaze.
"It was always in consultation with local brigades and personnel and the coroner ... but I would like to assure everybody that that back-burn was put in with the best intent."
"I'd like to go into it a little more, but I'm restricted by the coronial [inquiry]."
To this, one resident replied "I don't think there's anybody blaming the RFS... I just want to understand."
To some, this was a disappointment.
"A part of me is really pleased [by the meeting] because they're making an effort and some serious people have had to confront a wounded community … but there's been no specific apology," William Gruner said after the meeting.
He lost everything except for his Mount Tomah house in the blaze.
"What I wanted to see happen in this meeting was the RFS command to acknowledge that Mount Wilson back-burn was a mistake," Mr Gruner said.
Assistant Commissioner Jayson McKellar told residents that back-burning policies had been reviewed and updated in the aftermath of the Black Summer bushfires.
The Mount Wilson back-burn will be investigated as a specific case study at a coronial hearing on September 20, 2022.
