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For Sam, 18 January 2003 begins like any other Saturday in the Canberra school holidays. He heads off to his friend Joffy's house and they play computer games in Joffy's room to escape the soaring temperatures. But before long they are distracted by the hooting noise on the radio and come out to listen. It appears that bushfires have reached the suburbs and nobody knows what to do.
When Joffy's mum cannot contact Sam's parents she insists he stays put, but Sam's desire to get home increases with his panic and he sneaks out and runs towards his home.
Sam soon finds himself in the middle of burning houses and exploding trees. He can barely see through the smoke or move through the wind. He manages to glimpse at the place where his house used to be just as some neighbours drive past and force Sam to leave with them.
Sam is taken to the evacuation centre but cannot locate his family. He is driven back to Joffy's house and is relieved to find his family are there looking for him. After an emotional reunion, Sam's family start to rebuild their lives and Sam reflects on the loss of his pet rabbit and on being part of history.
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