Holsworthy fire 'absolutely unforgivable' if deliberately lit: NSW premier

Some 500 firefighters are continuing to battle a bushfire in Sydney's southwest that burned through 1000 hectares.

Firefighters fight flames close to homes in Corryton Court, Wattle Grove in Sydney, Saturday, April 14, 2018.

Firefighters fight flames close to homes in Corryton Court, Wattle Grove in Sydney, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Source: AAP

A new emergency warning has been issued for a fire burning out of control at Holsworthy, in Sydney's southwest.

The RFS issued the warning for residents, saying there has been increased fire activity with strong winds and embers sparking new fires.

"Voyager Point, Pleasure Point and Sandy Point are experiencing ember attack. Residents in these areas should shelter in place. It is too late to leave," the warning, released just after midday, said.

The NSW premier says it's a "miracle" that no lives or properties were lost when a bushfire raged through southwest Sydney overnight.

Firefighters fight flames close to homes in Corryton Court, Wattle Grove in Sydney, Saturday, April 14, 2018.
Firefighters fight flames close to homes in Corryton Court, Wattle Grove in Sydney, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Source: AAP


RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has warned, "the risk remains very real".

He has asked local residents to remain vigilant given winds on the fire ground are expected to reach up to 60km/h later in the day.

The fire - which has burned 1000 hectares - resulted in hundreds of people leaving their homes on Saturday evening with flames almost reaching properties at Holsworthy and Wattle Grove and spot fires later threatening Sutherland and Menai.

Firefighters fight flames close to homes in Corryton Court, Wattle Grove in Sydney, Saturday, April 14, 2018.
Firefighters fight flames close to homes in Corryton Court, Wattle Grove in Sydney, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Source: AAP


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.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Sunday said: "It's absolutely a miracle that overnight no one has been reported as having a serious injury and hundreds of properties have been saved."

"That is a huge relief," she told reporters at the RFS headquarters in Sydney.

Some 500 firefighters are still battling the out-of-control blaze which the premier said had been fanned by high winds and "unusually high temperatures for April".

Fire investigators and police are working to establish how the fire was started. NSW Police have declared the area a crime scene but the RFS says it's too early to declare if the blaze was deliberately lit.

Firefighters fight flames close to homes in Corryton Court, Wattle Grove in Sydney.
Firefighters fight flames close to homes in Corryton Court, Wattle Grove in Sydney. Source: AAP


Local residents and firefighters watch flames close to homes in Corryton Court, Wattle Grove.
Local residents and firefighters watch flames close to homes in Corryton Court, Wattle Grove. Source: AAP


A firefighter pulls a hose as an out-of-control grass fire burns at Holsworthy in Sydney, Saturday, April 14, 2018. (AAP Image/Jeremy Ng) NO ARCHIVING
A firefighter battling the out-of-control grass fire burning in Sydney on Saturday. Source: AAP


Asked about that possibility, the premier stated: "The community would deem it absolutely unforgivable if this fire was deliberately lit."

Mr Fitzsimmons on Sunday morning stressed the fight wasn't over saying "there's still a long way to go this afternoon".

"Given the weather conditions and the amount of fire on the fire ground there is every likelihood that situation could change this afternoon and we could elevate the alert level," he told reporters.

There's no immediate concern for the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor but authorities are prepared if the facility is threatened, the RFS commissioner said.

Firefighters battle the blaze near Holsworthy on Saturday afternoon.
Firefighters battle the blaze near Holsworthy on Saturday afternoon. Source: Fire and Rescue NSW Twitter


A local resident walks past firefighters as the fire burns at Holsworthy.
A local resident walks past firefighters as the fire burns at Holsworthy. Source: AAP


Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.


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