Russell Crowe’s property ‘very lucky’ after bushfire, The Block 2019 stars evacuate

Russell Crowe has shared images of his multimillion-dollar NSW property after a bushfire left parts of it “scorched” and out of water.

Australian actor Russell Crowe says he is “overall very lucky” after a couple of buildings were lost due to bushfire on his expansive multimillion-dollar property in NSW.

But with a number of out-of-control blazes still ravaging the region, the actor added “so far”.

“Chapel roof scorched. Deepest thanks to everyone on the ground,” he tweeted on Wednesday morning.

“Some fires still burning and we are out of water. No livestock deaths to date. Horses OK.

“Let the chickens out and they are back, warm worms for breakfast!”

Crowe owns 400 hectares of land around Nana Glen, inland and northwest of Coffs Harbour.

The flames licked at the side of one building on the property. Picture: Twitter/@russellcrowe

The actor said his place was ‘hit’ late on Tuesday. Picture: Twitter/@russellcrowe

The scorched chapel roof. Picture: Twitter/@russellcrowe

Lost a couple of buildings , but overall very lucky so far.
Chapel roof scorched.
Deepest thanks to everyone on the ground.
Some fires still burning and we are out of water.
No livestock deaths to date.
Horses ok.
Let the chickens out and they are back, warm worms for breakfast! pic.twitter.com/kaKJ351MXC

— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) November 12, 2019

Yesterday, his distraught neighbour Debbie Waldon told Seven News through tears: “I’m angry because our friend’s house is there burning and all the trucks go to Russell Crowe’s. What about normal everyday people?”

Firefighters managed to save a home just 2.5km from the actor’s house. However the NSW Rural Fire Service has rubbished claims the Gladiator star received preferential treatment.

“Firefighters are not aware of whose homes they are being sent to – aerial crews wouldn’t be aware of whose property they are going to either,” a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.

“Crews are dispatched on priority of jobs and the properties that need it the most, we are not aware of who owns the properties.”

Crowe tweeted about the bushfires in the early hours of this morning, saying he was not in Australia but his family was safe.

A fire truck is seen near a bushfire in Nana Glen, near Coffs Harbour on Tuesday. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

Debbie Waldon told Seven News her friend’s house was left to burn.

The NSW RFS had issued an Emergency warning for the Liberation Trail fire which covers Coutts Crossing, Coramba, Nana Glen and Glenreagh Areas but by Wednesday morning that had been downgraded to Watch and Act.

Earlier, fans had been reaching out to Crowe on Twitter about the bushfire.

I’m not in Australia.
My family are safe, billeted with friends.

Fire hit my place late in the day yesterday.

My heart goes out to everyone in the valley. pic.twitter.com/EsLKtDQM51

— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) November 12, 2019

The actor took to Twitter on Tuesday urging fellow Australian country musician Troy Casser-Daley to download the NSW Rural Fire Service app after the singer revealed his mother was evacuating to Grafton, in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, “as a precaution”.

“What’s the best way to be updated down that way @NSWRFS please?” Casser-Dalley asked his followers.

“Get the app mate. It’s very helpful,” Crowe responded.

“Hope your place is safe. Kindest thoughts and prayers for all threatened by bushfires,” one wrote.

Another asked if Crowe had relocated his family and animals, and one fan urged him to “be safe, please” if he was in the area.

“Just saw the warning for Nana Glen, stay safe Russ x,” another follower said.

“Get out now Russ … just mentioned Nana Glen on Skynews evacuate.”

Russell Crowe owns a property in Nana Glen (pictured), where the RFS has just issued an emergency warning over a number of large bush fires burning in the area. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

Crowe first bought a batch of land in the North Coast hamlet of Nana Glen back in 1999.

He then expanded his portfolio with a further nine surrounding lots that span hundreds of hectares across the region.

According to The Daily Telegraph, since his initial countryside purchase of the $750,000 Nana Glen Ranch, Crowe has shelled out about $5 million for a total of 400 hectares including in Nymboida, another area affected by fires.

My Mum is heading to Grafton just as a precaution soon, what’s the best way to be updated down that way @NSWRFS please?https://t.co/oYfs1XXGKU
This looks good but is it up to date? Thanks👍🏽

— Troy Cassar-Daley (@troycassardaley) November 12, 2019

Also affected by the bushfires, The Block couple Andy and Deb Saunders have been forced to leave their family home.

At the time of The Block’s live auction on Sunday, the couple were told there were no direct threats to their family home in Wallabi Point, NSW. However with conditions quickly escalating the couple’s four children urgently having to evacuate.

A very anxious Andy and Deb were yesterday still in Melbourne following the wrap-up of the show on Sunday night.

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Andy and Deb’s children have been forced to evacuate the family home in Wallabi Point, NSW.

The couple’s four children left Melbourne yesterday, and with no earlier flights available, Andy and Deb are waiting anxiously to return home.

The couple, who teared up just before their Block home went under the hammer following the devastating news of the fires, told news.com.au their kids were safe and moving to a nearby town (Taree) with Deb’s sister Cal.

With flights fully booked, they were unable to get on an earlier plane and were due to leave at 2.30pm on Tuesday, with plans to head straight from Sydney airport to Taree.

“The kids have had to pack up the home — they have taken passports, birth certificates — following the evacuation steps they been given,” Deb said, as she explained the fires got as close as 100 metres to their home.

“My eldest daughter Leilanie (22) climbed up onto the roof and filled the gutters with water. “They also pulled in the outdoor furniture (some which got burned) and also rolled wet towels against all the doors to stop the smoke and fire coming in.”

The Wallabi Point couple, who have lived in the area most of their lives, said they had never experienced a fire so close to the coast and were extremely grateful to the RFS, volunteers and community for their support in keeping the area as safe as possible.

“The RFS have literally saved people’s lives and houses,” Deb said. “So we just wanted to say a big thank you to them and to those who came in with trucks and helicopters.

“The helicopter Elvis literally bombed water all over some of our neighbours’ houses and literally saved them — Australia needs more helicopters like that.”

The ‘Gaagal’ artwork behind the couple and host Scott Cam is for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to the RFS.

On Facebook, Deb also informed her followers the indigenous artwork in their Block house is up for sale with part of the proceeds going to the RFS.

“They (artists Miimi and Jiinda) will have more available to purchase and are kindly donating part of the proceeds of every one of these painting they sell,” she said.

“Andy and I were asked to nominate a charity to donate to. We chose the RFS and they assure us it will go directly to our area which has been devastated by fire.”

The indigenous artwork throughout their Block home pays homage to Andy’s heritage.

The humble couple, who made $430,000 in profits after selling their three-storey Block house for $3.420 million, said they couldn’t wait to get back to their kids and tight-knit community.

“Big love to our local fire crews and also crews from the Hunter Region who have restored power lines — there’s a lot going and a lot of people are involved in keeping everyone safe,” Deb said.