Emergency warning for NSW Central Coast as out-of-control fire razes homes
An out of control Central Coast bushfire has destroyed 16 homes as emergency warnings force residents to flee during Sydney's hottest day in almost two years.
An out of control blaze on the NSW Central Coast has destroyed at least 16 homes forcing residents in the vicinity to flee, as more than 75 bushfires burn across the state.
An emergency warning was in place for areas surrounding Nimbin Road at Koolewong, with residents told they were at risk and to leave if the path towards Woy Woy was clear. About 250 firefighters, 50 trucks and nine aircraft were working to control blazes across the Koolewong and Woy Woy Bay area.
A second emergency warning was issued for a fire at Milsons Gully in the upper Hunter Region on Saturday afternoon, with more than 9000 hectares burned.
NSW Premier Chris Minns described it as “a very challenging day” for emergency crews and “a devastating day for people who have lost their homes”.
He urged the public to closely follow official warnings and confirmed 12 homes had been damaged or destroyed at Koolewong but warned that figure “may rise”.
RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin said lightning and a significant wind change expected between 2am and 5am Sunday would be monitored closely overnight.
A separate fire in the Goulburn River national park in the Merriwa River valley, which has burned 8600 hectares, was now under control, the RFS said.
Meanwhile, residents in Milsons Gully in the Upper Hunter Region have been told that it is now too late to evacuate. An emergency warning has also been upgraded for Baerami, Baerami Creek, Widden, Yarrawa and Kerrabee.
The Koolewong blaze was one of more than 75 fires burning across NSW on Saturday, as Sydney sweltered through its hottest day in almost two years as temperatures soar to 40C.
A second bushfire burning on the Mid North Coast was believed to have destroyed at least one home.
Central Coast councillor, Jared Wright, said the thoughts of “the entire region are with those families at this time”.
“In times of crisis, the Central Coast community always bands together to support each other and I know that will occur in the hours, days and weeks ahead.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a statement said he was “thinking of all those across NSW impacted by today’s bushfires”.
“Please look out for each other and follow advice from authorities. Thank you to all our emergency services and volunteers on the ground and in the air.”
Earlier on Saturday, a spokesman for the Rural Fire Service said the Koolewong fire was moving rapidly south behind Glenrock Parade towards Lara St, and warned homes were at risk.
“Embers will be blown long distances ahead of the main fire front starting spot fires, these may impact your home earlier than the main fire front,” an RFS spokesman said.
Regional Rail networks have also been disrupted by the fires with services stopped between Gosford and Hornsby.
Mr Wright said replacement buses were starting to flow through more regularly from Hornsby, but the line was about 300m long.
“Staff are handing out water as it’s over 40 degrees in the station and there are young and elderly in the queue,” he said. “The station staff at Hornsby Station have been simply exceptional and have done a great job to help organise people swiftly.”
A bushfire has also gutted properties at Dolphin Sands in Tasmania. So far the blaze, which began three days ago, has destroyed 19 homes and burnt more than 700 hectares.
As of Saturday morning, the fire was yet to be contained.
Tasmania Fire Services regional chief for the southern region, Simon Pilkington, said conditions had eased on Saturday, adding that crews were still assessing the extent of the damage to homes in the region.
Additional reporting: Newswire
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