‘MIRACLE’ NO LIVES LOST IN RAGING SYDNEY BUSHFIRE

A NEW emergency warning was issued yesterday for a fire burning out of control at Holsworthy, in Sydney’s southwest.

The RFS issued the warning for residents, saying there had 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.

Earlier, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was a “miracle” that no lives or properties were lost when a bushfire raged through southwest Sydney overnight.

The Holsworthy fire – which may have been deliberately lit – had been downgraded to a “watch-and-act” alert earlier yesterday morning but RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons warned “the risk remained very real”.

The Holsworthy fire resulted in hundreds of people leaving their homes on Saturday evening.

Picture: STEVE TYSON Firefighters backburn at Menai, in Sydney’s southwest, in an attempt to control a fire burning in the area.