NSW and Victorian firefighters save countless homes across Hunter Valley

The moment firefighters and police bolted when a wall of fire jumped a road in the Hunter Valley. Both NSW and Victorian fireys risked all to repel the speeding firefront and save countless homes. It was Luke Turner’s (pictured) first bushfire.

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Countless homes across the Hunter Valley were pulled from the brink of destruction by Victorian and NSW firefighters who risked everything to stop raging infernos.

But authorities fear they will have a long night ahead of them and – with hot conditions forecast for Wednesday and later in the week – they know they’re not out of the woods yet.

Fireys and police run for it as an out of control bushfire jumps Wine Country Drive and smashes head on into the village of North Rothbury, north of Cessnock on Tuesday. Picture: Peter Lorimer

Emergency crews raced toward the country town of North Rothbury on Tuesday afternoon hoping to beat a bushfire which broke out in dense bushland to the west.

Luke Turner was attending his first bushfire with Branxton Fire and Rescue NSW and described the “extremely fast-moving front”.

“When we pulled up, flames were through the treetops,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“By the time we unloaded the truck it was jumping the road.”

The great escape: Miraculously, NSW and Victorian firefighters risked everything to save countless homes in the Hunter Valley region on Tuesday. Picture: Peter Lorimer

Mr Turner said he faced walls of flames in his first ever bushfire.

“It’s an eye opener,” he said.

“I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s organised chaos — the fire is chaos and we’re trying to organise.”

The burning gum trees scattered embers onto roofs and lawns, which broke out in spot fires faster than they could be put out.

At the next town over, Greta, residents watched in horror as another fire erupted in bushland.

“F***ing embers rained down on us from Rothbury,” one resident said.

The Victorians spring into action as an out-of-control firefront heads for North Rothbury village. Picture: Peter Lorimer

A big smile from Luke Turner who was fighting his first bushfire with Branxton Brigade and VCFS. Picture: Peter Lorimer

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John and Alice Britten had been evacuated from the property at the top of the village when they saw the fire racing up the hill toward their home.

“It moved about 200 metres in just a few seconds,” Mr Britten said.

“If it weren’t for them I’d have been gone in just two more minutes.

NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and Victorian Country Fire Authority were working to contain North Rothbury before rushing toward the Brittens’ home at Greta.

Firefighters save a house north of Cessnock. Picture: Peter Lorimer

Aerial waterbombers were called to Greta but nothing couldn’t stop the front from casting embers over the Brittens’ home and into their back paddock.

“We have been here 20 years I …” Mr Britten said trailing off shaking his head.

“I sort of mow out to the trees out that way and try to keep the grass low because you always think this cold happen someday.”

John Britten surveys his burnt-out shed and counts his blessings after firefighters saved his house at Greta. Picture: Peter Lorimer

Legendary waterbombing helicopter “Elvis” and three other aircraft continued to dump water onto the flames as the inferno continued to roar through the bush.

“My daughter is in there,” one local woman howled at the Rothbury police barricade as black smoke filled the sky.

Both blazes reached emergency alert level and residents were told to leave.

“I’m getting out of here,” retired firey Warren Rogers said as he reversed his car out of the North Rothbury home he’s lived in for 58 years.

Alice Britten helps keep her property moist after firefighters saved her house. Picture: Peter Lorimer

Alice Britten watches ‘Elivs’ at work to save several houses at Greta from the fast-moving fire. Picture: Peter Lorimer

A firefighter was treated there for smoke inhalation before being transported by NSW Ambulance to a nearby hospital.

Another firefighter was also taken to hospital, when at first it was thought they were having a heart attack. Paramedics treated them on scene for severe heatstroke.

At least homes were impacted at North Rothbury but it will remain unclear if any more properties there, or at Greta, sustained damage by smoke or flames until RFS assessment teams attend.

Police running to assist at a fire at North Rothbury, Cessnock. Picture: Peter Lorimer.

That may have to wait as a southerly change, expected to hit the Hunter later on Tuesday evening, threatens to drastically change the nature of the fires.

“It will change the direction everything is burning and, all of a sudden, a fire becomes much, much wider,” an RFS spokesman told The Daily Telegraph.

Hot weather predicted for tomorrow, and the coming weeks, means the fire danger rating for the Hunter could remain severe, the spokesman added.

A fire at North Rothbury was issued an emergency warning as properties came under threat. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

Originally published as NSW and Victorian firefighters save countless homes across Hunter Valley