Sydney south-west bushfire impacted Pakistani families

“I heard news about bush fires many times since my arrival to Sydney in more than 25 years but never thought that I will also ever face its impact”. Well-known member of Pakistani community and journalist Zafar Hussain’s family also forced to leave their Sandy Point home in Sydney south and provided safe accommodation by NSW government but hundreds of families like him are still waiting to return to their homes. There are reports a massive bushfire has affected properties in Menai and Barden Ridge in Sydney's south-west, New South Wales fire crews say, as the threat eases to watch and act status. Besides large number of suburban residents of Sydney South, various Pakistani community members and families are also affected. Zafar Husain acknowledged the swift response by authorities and NSW rural fire services that played a major role in saving of community and residents. Police are investigating to try and find out what started the fire Bushfire was downgraded overnight, and has now been downgraded again after reaching emergency level on Sunday More than 500 firefighters in almost 100 fire trucks, along with 15 aircraft, have battled the blaze The Holsworthy fire - which may have been deliberately lit - was downgraded to a "watch-and-act" alert on Sunday morning but RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has warned, "The risk remains very real". Some 500 firefighters are continuing to battle a bushfire in Sydney's southwest that burned through 1000 hectares with RFS warning the risk remains "very real". Residents in Sandy Point and Alfords Point were told on Sunday morning to continue monitoring conditions while those in Illawong, Bangor and Picnic Point were warned of ember attacks and potential new spot fires. The NSW premier says it's a "miracle" that no lives or properties were lost when a bushfire raged through southwest Sydney overnight. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited the RFS command centre in Sutherland in the afternoon. "Clearly with the wind increasing in strength the situation is worsening but there are outstanding efforts to control this fire being undertaken," the prime minister told reporters. Many resident in affected suburbs were still unable to return to their homes. Last update: 7:43 Pm Sunday 15 Apr. 2018 AET https://www.sbs.com.au/news/holsworthy-fire-absolutely-unforgivable-if-deliberately-lit-nsw-premier

Source: Zafar Hussain