Three people confirmed dead as bushfires tear through homes in NSW and Queensland
A third person has been identified as dozens of bushfires continue to rip across New South Wales and Queensland, destroying homes and lives.
• Three dead, five missing, and 40 injured
• More than 150 homes destroyed
• 72 fires burning in NSW, 36 uncontained
• One fire in Queensland at emergency level
• Identified victims are Vivian Chaplain, 69, Julie Fletcher, 63, and George Nole.
A third person is confirmed to have died in the devastating bushfires after a body was discovered inside a burnt out car on Saturday morning.
The ABC reports the body of George Nole was found in a car at the Kangawalla fire, near Glen Innes in NSW.
It comes after the first victim of the devastating bushfires ripping through parts of Northern New South Wales and South East Queensland was named.
The ABC identified Vivian Chaplain, 69, as one of the three people to have died in NSW’s bushfire emergency.
The body of another victim, Julie Fletcher, 63, was discovered at a property in Johns River, north of Taree, The Daily Telegraphreports.
“The burnt out home belongs to a woman aged 63; however, a post-mortem examination will be required to confirm identity and cause of death,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.
“Officers from Manning Great Lakes Police District are speaking with the woman’s family, and have initiated inquiries.”
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) says five more remain unaccounted for.
More than 40 people have been injured and 150 homes destroyed.
7.00AM WEATHER CONDITIONS EASE
Cooler temperatures and dropping winds aided firefighters overnight, though dozens of fires remain out of control.
One fire remains at emergency level – the one approaching Cooroibah, Ringtail Creek and their surrounding areas in Queensland. Residents are being urged to leave immediately, as it will soon be “too dangerous to drive”.
“You should not expect a firefighter at your door. Act now,” Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said.
In the early hours of this morning, the Cobraball fire, also in Queensland, was downgraded to watch and act. But it is still moving, and residents in its path are being told to travel towards Yeppoon.
A number of fires in NSW have been downgraded, including those near Bills Crossing Crowdy, Liberation Trail, Washpool, Gum Scrub and Mt Nardi.
The Hillville fire was also downgraded at 5am, meaning there are currently no fires at emergency level in NSW.
Conditions should continue to improve across most affected areas throughout the day, with temperatures expected to peak at 25-30 degrees.
“The winds won’t be as vigorous as yesterday, but will still be there. Maybe not that widespread, but in certain pockets in the interior of the northern tablelands,” Mr Shabren said.
Those winds will “really ease off” in the evening hours.
10.30PM SECOND PERSON IDENTIFIED
Julie Fletcher, 63, has been identified as one of the three victims who have perished in the devastating bushfires, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Ms Fletcher died in the small mid north coast town of Johns River, which is between Port Macquarie and Taree, on Saturday morning.
NSW Police confirmed they found the body of a 63-year-old woman in a burnt-out building north of Taree.
The publication reports Ms Fletcher had packed her car in an effort to escape the fires but didn’t make it out.
“I got a message from her at 9.30pm on Friday night saying she was putting her things in the car and getting ready to go,” Ms Fletcher’s friend and neighbour Diny Khan, 63, said.
9PM ANOTHER DEAD AS FIRES UPGRADED TO EMERGENCY LEVEL
NSW Police confirmed a third body was found in a burnt-out house north of Taree, with fears of more fatalities as five people are still unaccounted for.
It comes as the Cobraball fire south-west of Yeppoon (Queensland) has been upgraded to emergency level, bringing the tally of fires at emergency to three.
The other fire at emergency level in Queensland is Noosa North Shore.
In NSW, Bills Crossing Crowdy, Liberation Trail, Washpool, Gum Scrub and Mt Nardi fires were recently downgraded, decreasing the fires at emergency level in NSW down to one, after Hillville was upgraded.
6.30PM STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED IN 42 QLD REGIONS
A State of Fire Emergency has been declared across 42 local Government areas in Queensland as the state braces for worsening weather conditions over the next few days.
Lighting of all types of fires, as well as any activities that could spark a fire, is prohibited.
QFES acting commissioner Mike Wassing urged people to be cautious and do anything possible to prevent further fires igniting as fire crews battle multiple blazes.
Elsewhere, South Australia have deployed a specialist team to assist with the fires.
4PM FIRST VICTIM NAMED
Vivian Chaplain is reported to have been seriously injured when a bushfire swept through Wytaliba near Glen Innes. Tragically, she couldn’t be saved.
Earlier, RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said she had “40-50 per cent burns to her body”, according to The Daily Telegraph.
“She was also unconscious and the crews were rendering first aid and CPR for several hours,” he said.
Ms Chaplain’s daughter Chrystal Harwood told the ABC that the grandmother of six had headed back into the bushfire zone to save her animals and home.
“She was stuck and we couldn’t get to her. The loss of her has devastated our family there was nothing we could do.”
Seven people are missing in the Glen Innes area.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters the carnage had escalated with seven people now reported missing. More than 1300 firefighters and volunteers continue to battle blazes across the state.
“The situation is beyond serious. Our thoughts and prayers go to the families and loved ones of those two deceased persons,” the Premier said.
“We are seeing situations in NSW with these fires we have not seen before and of course concerns remain mainly around the Glen Innes area and also Port Macquarie and Taree regions and the townships around those communities.”
Five fires are currently listed at emergency levels in NSW.
FIRES NEAR YOU: NSW FIRE SERVICE
FIRES NEAR YOU: QLD FIRE SERVICE
2.50PM GRAVE CONCERNS FOR MORE FATALITIES
The RFS’ Mr Fitzsimmons has warned that the death toll is likely to rise beyond two.
Seven people are said to be missing.
“We can’t rule out the really grave concerns that there could be more losses or indeed more fatalities as we get through and identify details across these fire grounds,” he told reporters.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said army reservists could be deployed “if necessary”. While they aren’t trained firefighters they could help create firebreaks away from the front or provide accommodation and logistical support, Mr Morrison said, reported AAP.
“These fires have already claimed two lives … and as we get access to further areas that have been cut off we are expecting worse news again,” he said.
1.30PM THERE WAS NO HOPE. HE WAS IN TEARS
News.com.au reporter Vanessa Brown is at Rainbow Flat, just to the east of the main fire front. She spoke to local resident Kim who said she had spent the night in her car after police evacuated them from their home.
She described the terrifying sight of the approaching fires: “The whole sky was red. It was pretty horrible.”
She was sanguine about the prospect of losing her home.
“Look, it’s a house. We have our five dogs and our four humans out. Everyone was happy that they had whatever they loved. And I’ve got the picture of my mum.”
Julie, who also lives close to Rainbow Flat, spoke about the moment she saw her landlord’s farm, caught up the horror blaze.
RELATED: Fire fighters battle fires burning across NSW
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“There were some out-buildings on fire, the front yard was on fire, the bush paddock where the horses are was fully on fire.
“I don’t know whether the house went up. He came back to a property that I’m staying in and he was in tears. He just didn’t know what was going to happen.”
Julie doesn’t know whether she will have a home to go back to.
“We’ve got 10,000 litres but there was no water coming through the hoses and the power’s out. So it is a pretty scary.
She described her rushed evacuation: “Five dogs in the Barina, that wasn’t fun.”
1PM ‘IT WASN’T A FIRE, IT WAS A FIRESTORM’
Local RFS captain Paul Johnston was struggling to comprehend the devastation he witnessed while battling the blaze near Nymboida River.
“It was an unprecedented event and I don’t think that I can articulate exactly what I felt but this is something that’s never happened to this degree – certainly here,” he told the ABC.
“It was a storm. It wasn’t a fire, it was a storm. It was a firestorm.
“Nymboida (south west of Grafton) is a small community. Everyone knows everyone, and the community when evacuated were obviously devastated.”
At 12pm there are 81 fires burning across NSW with 43 uncontained. In yesterday's extremely dangerous fire activity, at least 100 homes were lost. This number is expected to increase. There have also been 2 people confirmed dead and 7 still unaccounted for. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/j054qngH3H
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 9, 2019
12.10PM THOUSANDS EVACUATED FROM NOOSA BUSHFIRE
Thousands of people cleared from the path of a bushfire in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast overnight are in limbo as fire fighters assess whether or not it is safe for them to go home.
Tewantin, in Noosa’s north, is cut off and there are concerns spot fires could cause more havoc as temperatures rise throughout the day.
Roughly 2000 people were evacuated from parts of Tewantin and Noosa North Shore on Friday afternoon and into the night, independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton said.
They sought shelter at local showgrounds, sporting facilities and church outreach centres.
“I know that this does have an emotional impact on people,” Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said this morning.
“We’ll make sure that there is the appropriate counselling that people will need, because when they actually have to suddenly get up and leave their home and belongings it can be very distressing.”
It’s been a difficult 24 hours for residents and firefighting crews in the area, reported AAP.
One firefighter broke their leg and a home has been destroyed at Cooroibah.
“I think when eventually the areas are opened up and people can see how close these fires came to property they’ll be aware of what an incredible job the firefighting team did,” Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington said.
11.49AM PRISON INMATES EVACUATED AFTER FIRE RISK
More than 160 prisoners have been evacuated from jails between Glen Innes and Grafton as fires continue to threaten parts of Northern NSW.
“Staff from Glen Innes, Grafton and our Security Operations Group did an outstanding job under such circumstances to ensure everyone’s safety,” Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Severin said.
Inmates at Grafton Correctional Centre remain locked-in their cells while inmates from Glen Innes are temporarily housed in various sections of the prison.
11.20AM QUEENSLAND AREAS TOLD TO EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY
Residents in Noosa North Shore have been told to “leave immediately” by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service, while those in Cooroibah/Tewantin have also been told to leave.
Premier Palaszczuk said 36 fires were still burning in the state.
LEAVE IMMEDIATELY: Noosa North Shore bushfire (part of Cooroibah bushfire) as at 10.05am Sat 9 Nov: https://t.co/mENLzNff8I
— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) November 9, 2019
11.11AM MID-COAST RESIDENTS TOLD TO ‘WATCH AND ACT’
The NSW RFS have said conditions in the state’s Mid-Coast have improved but encourage residents to remain alert after issuing a “watch and act” notification.
“If you’re in the areas of Johns River, Diamond Head, Crowdy Head, Harrington, Laurieton and Dunbogan, continue to monitor conditions,” the service tweeted.
Watch and Act: Bills Crossing Crowdy (Mid-Coast LGA)
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 8, 2019
Conditions on the fireground have eased. If you're in the areas of Johns River, Diamond Head, Crowdy Head, Harrington, Laurieton and Dunbogan, continue to monitor conditions. More info: https://t.co/mR3OrDp4a9 #nswfires #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/5GOcS9Kkrm
10.40AM SECOND PERSON CONFIRMED DEAD, ONE MORE MISSING
NSW Premier Berejiklian confirmed a second person has died as more than 1300 firefighters and volunteers continue to battle the blazes.
“Our thoughts and prayers of course go to the families and loved ones of those two deceased persons,” she said.
“We are seeing situations in NSW with these fires we have not seen before and of course concerns remain mainly around the Glen Innes area and also Port Macquarie and Taree regions and the townships around those communities.
“Please know that we may not be through the worst of it but also please know that we have the resources, the equipment and the personnel to make sure we do everything we can to protect lives and communities.”
NSW RFS spokesman Ben Shepherd said the body found in a burnt out vehicle in Kangawalla appears to have been trapped as a number of residents were unable to evacuate the fire ravaged region.
“What we saw was a massive escalation of these fires very quickly yesterday,” he told news.com.au.
“In some cases, it didn’t allow us to offer people the opportunity to leave because we were seeing spot fires develop up to 12km ahead of the main fire front.
“Under certain conditions, people may choose to stay and defend their homes but we’d only ever encourage that normally in severe fire danger, if your property has been well-prepared, and you’re mentally and physically able to do that.”
– Adrianna Zappavigna
10.10AM MORE THAN 1000 FIREFIGHTERS CURRENTLY ON THE GROUND
Teh RFS’ Mr Shepherd said more than 70 fires burning with at least 32 of those yet to be contained.
“There’s more than 1000 firefighters and support personnel out on these fire grounds at the moment,” he told news.com.au.
“Our concentration is still very much on all of those fires still at emergency warning levels, which are predominantly in that Port Macquarie coast area and also towards Glen Innes.”
“The main thing we want to get across to people is that if you are close to any of these current fires, you have to remain vigilant, you have to remain prepared.”
Mr Shepherd implored both residents and tourists to a have plan ready.
“And even if you aren’t in these fire-prone areas at the moment, if you live, work, or are visiting bushfire-prone areas over the coming weeks and months, we want everyone to ensure that they’re prepared and importantly, have a plan,” he said.
– Adrianna Zappavigna
This shows the dangerous conditions that have confronted firefighters and residents today. This is the crew from Warringah HQ at the Hillville fire near Taree. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/lIhnF8P1Qf
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 8, 2019
9.50AM ‘SEEN THINGS WE’LL NEVER FORGET’
A devastating Facebook post from the Pacific Palms Rural Fire Brigade has detailed the destruction of the fires in New South Wales.
The crew said it arrived at Bobin to the west of Port Macquarie where multiple homes were burnt the ground as well as a primary school.
“A furious fire had ripped through the town like none of us have seen and continued to make its way through properties in front of us,” the post said.
“Unfortunately we (have) seen things we’ll never forget today and never want to see again.
“Our thoughts go out to Bobin.”
9.20AM NUMBER OF DESTROYED HOMES EXPECTED TO CLIMB
More than 100 homes have been destroyed but RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told the ABC this is just a preliminary figure with crews still unable to access large parts of the affected areas.
“We are expecting that number to climb and we need to prepare ourselves for that number to climb potentially quite significantly because there’s lots of fire grounds,” he said.
“We simply haven’t been able to get people in to undertake even an initial assessment.”
The commissioner said other infrastructure has been destroyed, including a school.
Meanwhile, it is too early to identify the remains of the body found in a burnt out car in Kangawalla.
“Clearly that’s very distressing and our thoughts and prayers are to all of those that are affected and particularly the family and loved ones of the occupant of this vehicle,” Mr Fitzsimmons said.
“That matter will now be managed by the police and a more forensic identification process will be undertaken to confirm exactly who has been located.”
There were still 77 bush or grass fires burning in NSW with 42 uncontained on Saturday morning, the fire service said.
Mr Fitzsimmons said the blazes they battled on Friday — at one point fighting 99 fires, a record 17 of which were at emergency level all at once — had them in “uncharted territory”, with seasoned firefighters of some 60 years experience saying they had never seen such conditions.
NABIAC TO CUNDLETOWN: The Pacific Highway is closed btwn Wallanbah Rd and Princes St. Avoid the area.
— Live Traffic NSW (@LiveTrafficNSW) November 8, 2019
8.20AM ONE PERSON CONFIRMED DEAD
The remains of a person have been located by crews from the NSW RFS at the Kangawalla fire, near Glen Innes.
Two people remain unaccounted for.
Firefighters have located the remains of a person in a vehicle at the Kangawalla fire, near Glen Innes. Two people remain unaccounted for after yesterday's bush fires. NSW RFS is working with @nswpolice. #nswrfs #nswfires
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 8, 2019
The remote and sporadic nature of the multiple fires have made rescue and battle efforts extremely difficult, the NSW RFS told ABC.
“(There is) significant damage and destruction to isolated rural communities, villages and towns,” the spokesman said.
“Early estimates from the field are that at least 100 homes have been destroyed.”
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