THE arson squad has joined the hunt for the firebugs who put the lives of many Coalfields residents at risk on Wednesday after lighting the two bushfires which threatened to engulf parts of Kurri Kurri and Heddon Greta.
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As the mercury soared past 40 degrees and hot north-westerly winds peaked over 50 km/h, an arsonist is believed to have sparked two blazes which quickly raged out of control as it damaged property, prompted frightened residents to take shelter and shut the Hunter Expressway for hours.
Senior police have vowed to hunt down those responsible for a rising number of arson attacks around the Coalfields before lives are lost.
Brave fire crews continued working into Wednesday night after helping ease conditions which saw emergency warnings sent out for parts of Kurri Kurri, Heddon Greta, Loxford and Sawyers Gully.
The RFS will begin to assess the damage on Thursday morning, but it confirmed late Wednesday night there were no homes destroyed by fire.
Ember attacks are being blamed for some of the damage, including homes on Butlers Place at Kurri Kurri and the nearby high school hall, as conditions allowed the bushfire to crown through the tree tops.
The bushfires had raged on multiple fronts as residents sought shelter in many areas – particularly Old Maitland Road, Sawyers Gully Road and Northcote Street.
One mother and her daughter needed to be rescued from their property by helicopter, the RFS said.
At its peak, the fire was burning in populated areas several kilometres apart, with dense bush limiting the access of ground crews.
The wind’s regular direction changes kept more than 250 firefighters scrambling from one location to the next. Several water-bombing aircraft needed to be used.
Fire crews worked furiously for several hours until 6pm, when the fire was downgraded to Watch and Act alert level from Emergency, the highest.
Vicky Davies was in her Sawyers Gully home as she watched thick black smoke surround the entire area.
“My first thought was to run,” she said, as she stood at a roadblock waiting for police to let her back into her property.
“We still have no idea if our house is OK or if it’s gone. We have a bushfire plan – but it all goes out the window when you’re in a situation like that. Time just moves so quickly.”
Mrs Davies managed to rescue her dogs, but had to leave her pet goat behind, running out of time.
Her husband, Graeme, went back to the property to pull the animal to safety.
At that time, Mr Davies said, he could have died.
“It was burning everywhere,” he said.
“I was just about to leave when a copper came over and said, ‘Get out, get out, get out, the fire’s coming!’.”
The Herald phoned Mr Davies late Wednesday night, and he confirmed his house had been saved.
“I’ve been here for 30 years and I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said.
“It’s like Hiroshima has come down. It’s burnt right around the house – we are like an island. The firies and all emergency services have done some amazing work.”
Northcote Street resident Leanne Madge also did not know if her home was still standing until she saw it with her own eyes.
When she returned late afternoon, it was mere metres between her front door and the razed bushland across the road.
“I was crying, I was shaking,” Ms Madge said. “It was just black all around me and I knew I had to get out and leave everything behind.
“I come home and it’s still here. I cannot believe it. The firefighters have saved everything.”
Ms Madge had little to say about arsonists.
“They don't know what they’re doing, the lives they put at risk,” she eventually offered. “It’s so sad.”
Phil Parrey, of Heddon Greta, said he first saw the flames about a 100 metres away, before watching the fire creep up the street.
“Within five minutes it was on top of us,” he said.
“I think we were lucky there was not as much bush, it was not as thick as what it has been.”
RFS Lower Hunter Fire Control Centre group officer Neale Mutton said Wednesday’s conditions tested even seasoned firefighters.
“We were tested today, there’s no doubt about that,” the firefighter said.
“The wind, the heat, the fact the fire broke out in several places – it all added to the tough conditions.”