‘Safe and secure’ caravans outside the Richmond Club for people to seek refuge from bushfires
Two businesses have teamed up to offer free caravans for people to sleep in — and shower facilities — as a means to seek refuge from the Gospers Mountain fire.
The Blue Mountains News
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RESIDENTS in the path of the Gospers Mountain fire can take refuge in caravans free of charge tonight.
Londonderry business A One Caravan has made available four caravans at the Richmond Club for people evacuating their homes.
“It’s not the Taj Mahal, but it’s somewhere safe and secure,” A One owner Matthew Smith, of Hobartville, said.
While not officially a ‘Neighbourhood Safer Places’ area, Richmond Club duty manager Luke Spithill said two individuals and a couple spent last night at the club.
No one evacuees have arrived yet tonight, but he expects they will likely come after dinner.
He said one person is currently staying in a caravan of their own in the club’s carpark.
“We’ve got showers in the club gym and we’ve got supplies,” Mr Spithill said, adding “the Clarendon (Tavern) is taking animals.”
The Rural Fire Service says the bushfire in the Wollemi National Park Area is now more than 396,000 hectares in size and is being controlled.
It is burning on multiple fronts including in Grose Valley and on both sides of the Bells Line of Road, impacting the Mt Lagoon, Bilpin, Mt Irvine, Mt Wilson, Berambing and Mt Tomah areas.
Yesterday fire activity increased with the fire jumping Mt Wilson Road.
Neighbourhood Safer Places are a place of last resort during a bushfire emergency. Find a Neighbourhood Safer Place in your area by visiting: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/neighbourhood-safer-places