Town trapped, properties impacted as northern NSW burns

Author : mamun Published: February 12, 2019

Updated

February 13, 2019 16:57:40

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) says properties have been impacted by a “mammoth” bushfire at Tingha, which is now completely cut off.

Key points:

RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the fire is burning “very aggressively”
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said the Tingha fire was “mammoth”
Another emergency warning is in place for a blaze at Tabulam which has already destroyed homes

ABC reporters confirmed the fire had reached the outskirts of the central tablelands town as they evacuated this afternoon.

Some residents have been bussed to nearby Guyra and the RFS said there were reports properties had been destroyed and damaged.

RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the fire was burning “very aggressively”.

“It’s all around Tingha … burning quickly in the north, the south and there is spotting across the town out to the east,” he said.

Photo:
Tingha is facing a raging fire from almost all directions as conditions deteriorate. (Instagram: Rob Lyons)

RFS spokesman Greg Allen said the property damage was on Howell Road.

“Until we can have our official teams on the ground and assess the situation we won’t have a full number or the extent of the damage but we do have reports of properties that have been destroyed,” he said.

The fire has been at emergency level for much of the past 24 hours.

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall described it as “mammoth” and the worst the region had seen for decades.

“RFS crews have even had to be pulled out from the front of the fire as it’s so fierce,” he said.

An evacuation centre has been established at the Bundarra School of Arts Hall and the Tingha Sports and Recreation Club is also open for residents requiring accommodation.

There is a second emergency warning for a blaze at Tabulam, where several homes were destroyed yesterday.

Winds have strengthened and have pushed the fire across Timbarra Road in the direction of Ogilvie Drive.

Emergency text messages have been sent and those in around the area of Ogilvie Drive should leave now if unprepared.

There is an evacuation centre being set up at the Bonalbo Bowling Club.

External Link:

Map showing fires near Tingha and Tabulam

Topics:

disasters-and-accidents,