Advice: fires under control, tree topples at Lord Mayor’s house
Hot, dry and damaging winds caused havoc across the Hunter as fire crews were on high alert as they battled a number of blazes in the region, with SES attending numerous calls for help.
Newcastle
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Hot, dry and damaging winds caused havoc across the Hunter with fire crews on high alert as they battled a number of blazes, the region experiencing wind gusts of up to 75km/h.
NSW Fire and Rescue and NSW RFS combined to get hold of a massive grass fire at Cessnock, which initially put the local jail under threat.
The blaze started after about 2pm on Saturday on Wine Country Drive, with 14 fire crews attending as they worked to get it under control.
Firefighters were also on the scene of a bushfire at Kearsley with fire burning near Cessnock Street and Lake Road. It was downgraded to advice as firefighters and residents worked towards protecting homes.
Another Watch and act alert was issued in the Lake Macquarie region with a bushfire burning near properties. It burnt out 124 hectares before being downgraded to advice.
WATCH & ACT: Watagan Rd, Martinsville (Lake Macquarie LGA)
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) October 26, 2019
Fire is burning near properties in the area of Watagan Road & is spreading east towards Martinsville. If you're in the Martinsville area, monitor conditions & know what you will do if the fire threatens #NSWRFS #NSWFIRES pic.twitter.com/O1G8BRequn
Fire was burning in the area of Watagan Rd and spreading east towards Martinsville.
Those in the area were urged to monitor conditions and know what to do if the fire threatened.
Meanwhile plenty of reports came in to Hunter’s SES with trees fallen on homes and roads, and rooves ripped off homes.
At Hamilton South, SES responded to the collapse of a patio roof, while three units at Tingira Heights were without a roof.
The Newcastle Lord Mayor also had a fright with a tree down at the family home, sprawled across the driveway, blocking access.
Very high fire danger continues for many areas on Sunday, with total fire bans in place across the Hunter Region.