Fire crisis as NSW blazes rage

GRAVE fears are held for residents believed to be trapped by raging fires on the mid-north coast of NSW, with the state experiencing an unprecedented bushfire crisis as 99 blazes yesterday burned across the tinder-dry state, including 17 at emergency level.

Thousands of residents in the state’s north were forced to flee for their lives, and multiple buildings, including a school at Bobin, in the northwest, are believed to have been destroyed.

There are reports residents may have become trapped in a number of locations, with firefighters unable to reach them in time. Last night there were fears of a fatality at Rainbow Flat.

More than 1000 firefighters and 70 aircraft battled in extreme conditions at Port Macquarie, Nambucca, Kempsey and Clarence Valley, further north at Tenterfield and Armidale, and in the Blue Mountains yesterday.

A weekend cool change is due to help but fire authorities warned the danger was not over, with hazardous conditions predicted to return early next week.