Nepean Rugby Park's close call after fire

PENRITH Emus rugby coach Teki Tu'ipulotu feared the worst when he saw kids run away from where a fire had broken out.

2013.01.23 Fire rugby

PENRITH Emus rugby coach Teki Tu'ipulotu feared the worst when he saw kids run away from where a fire had broken out.

Tu'ipulotu was at Nepean Rugby Park preparing for his team's training session last Thursday when he first smelt smoke about 4pm.

Minutes later the smell grew stronger and he went to investigate.

"When I walked outside I saw a few kids playing there where the fire broke out," he said.

"It rapidly escalated and to be honest it was quite scary.

"The fire basically stayed outside the fence, but after seeing that I don't envy the people living in the country who suffer from fires at all."

Fire and Rescue NSW attended the scene and battled the fire.

The team trained after the fire was contained, but Tu'ipulotu said he was prepared to cancel training for the players' welfare.

"The fire brigade came out for our safety as well and by 7pm when we started training the fire was pretty much out," he said.

"But it was scary because I think if the grass was any longer on the main field I'm sure the fire would have gotten it."

The fire re-ignited on Friday as the temperature soared to a record 46.5C. Penrith fire station was called out to the site as it started smoking up again.

Penrith senior firefighter John-Paul Amputch said it took a few hours to control.

"We were out there from mid-morning but had to call the RFS for assistance," he said.

"When we relocated the winds picked up and it all started."