Northern NSW bushfires: Destructive fires traced to woman burning off rubbish

Six homes have been wiped out by bushfires in northern NSW and the Rural Fire Service says that number could climb as crews prepare to inspect properties this morning.

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Six homes have been wiped out by bushfires in northern NSW and the Rural Fire Service says that number could climb as crews prepare to inspect properties this morning.

There are currently three big bushfires burning in the state at Tingha, Tabulam and Wallangarra.

An emergency warning remains in place at Tingha while the other two fires to the town’s northeast have been placed on watch and act alerts as of 6.30am.

NSW Rural Fire Services spokesman Chris Garlick said crews were preparing to inspect the three fire grounds after receiving unconfirmed reports of more property damage, especially at Tabulam, overnight.

“We have unconfirmed reports of destroyed or at least damaged homes across these fire grounds, but we won’t be able to confirm that until we get teams in,” he said.

The blaze at Tingha is travelling north while the other two fires at Tabulam and Wallangarra are burning “in and around” properties.

“The one at Tingha is moving in a northerly direction and smoke is affecting some townships – some properties may come under ember attack, firefighters are working with local residents and landowners,’ Mr Garlick said.

“The fires up north (Tabulam and Wallangarra) are burning in and around properties.”

Authorities have confirmed six homes have been destroyed and another five damaged at Tingha.

“This is only an early number, as the fire moves and threatens other properties it may change throughout the day,” he said.

Bushfires move through the town of Tingha in northern NSW. Picture: Nathan Edwards

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BUSHFIRES TRACED TO WOMAN BURNING RUBBISH

A massive bushfire which razed 3000 hectares of bushland and destroyed a rural community in the state’s north has been traced to a woman burning off rubbish in a steel container.

The 40-year-old woman was charged over the blaze — one of two massive bushfires tearing through 15,500 hectares and destroying homes, buildings and scores of cars in rural NSW on Wednesday.

Police allege the woman set fire to the pile of rubbish in a large steel container in the back yard of her home near the rural village of Tabulam at about 8am on Tuesday.

She allegedly left the fire unattended for a period and returned to find it had spread into bush behind her home.

Utter devastation … Diane Cross outside her destroyed home and business. Picture: Nathan Edwards

She tried to douse the flames with a garden hose, police said, but the fire ripped through almost 3000 hectares of bushland and burnt down the Jubullum Aboriginal community.

The woman was charged and scheduled to front Casino Local Court on February 27.

In the town of Tingha, south of Inverell, Diane and Glenn Cross lost their home and car-wrecker business to the state’s other major bushfire, which destroyed 12,500 hectares of bush.

“We got the two dogs and packed up and left,” she said. “It destroyed our home and our business, one good thing is that we both got out okay.”

Diane and Glenn Cross lost their home and car-wrecker business to the state’s other major bushfire, which destroyed 12,500 hectares of bush. Picture: Nathan Edwards

A family’s backyard and children’s trampoline and swing set destroyed in the town of Tingha. Picture: Nathan Edwards

She said she thought at least three other properties on her street had also gone.

The RFS told residents to leave their homes and evacuate the town.

Amy Hosking took her two-year-old old son, Colby, their cats, dogs and horses from their property and fled to her parents’ place.

“It was terrifying, looking out and seeing the fire all around,” she said. “It was so fast moving and there was smoke everywhere, I couldn’t risk staying there. My husband, Dan, stayed behind to fight the fires.”

Bushfires rage in Tingha on Wednesday morning. Picture: Adam Marshall/Facebook

Ingleside fire brigade respond to bushfires burning in Tingha on Wednesday. Picture: Joshua Grainger

Inverell Shire Council Mayor Paul Harmon said: “It was really devastating to see green patches starting to emerge on some farms, for them only to be wiped away by the blaze — it’s heartbreaking really.”

Ingleside firefighters battle a blaze at Tingha. Picture: Joshua Grainger

The aftermath of bushfire that swept through Tingha on Wednesday. Picture: Joshua Grainger

Last night another fire near Tenterfield, just south of the Queensland border was upgraded to emergency warning. The RFS was telling some residents to “leave now”.

The fire had burnt through more than 6000 hectares and was spreading quickly.