A significant grass fire that erupted on Wednesday afternoon in southwestern Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), posed a serious threat to nearby homes before fire crews successfully contained it.
The blaze ignited just before 2 p.m. at a former amusement park site located at the corner of Camden Valley Way and Cowpasture Road. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) swiftly mobilized more than 20 fire units, including bushfire tankers and 80 dedicated firefighters, to tackle the rapidly spreading flames.
Strong winds fueled the fire, causing it to spread eastward over an area of 12 hectares. The intense heat and flames resulted in damage to two buildings, including an abandoned home, multiple outbuildings, as well as several caravans and trailers. In addition to ground efforts, two helicopters were deployed to waterbomb the fire, helping to control its spread.
The firefighting efforts were not without risk. One firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation, while another sustained an eye injury from smoke debris. A nearby civilian experienced chest pains and received immediate assistance from paramedics at home.
By evening, the situation had improved, and the fire was downgraded from an \"emergency warning\" to an \"advice\" level. Firefighters continue to conduct mopping-up operations to extinguish any remaining spotfires in the area. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation as authorities work to prevent future incidents.
The swift response from FRNSW, supported by the Rural Fire Service, Rail Fire and Emergency Service, NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, and Transport for NSW, highlights the community's resilience and the effectiveness of coordinated emergency efforts in safeguarding lives and properties.
Reference(s):
Major grass fire under control after threatening homes in SW Sydney
cgtn.com
