Australia: wildfires threaten homes near Sydney
Dozens of bushfires broke out in Australia on Tuesday with six firefighters injured battling fierce blazes in western Sydney that have destroyed at least two properties and left more under threat.
Some 60 fires erupted in the country's most populous state of New South Wales, aided by temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius and gusting winds with water-bombing helicopters being used to tackle the danger.
Four blazes on Sydney's western fringes prompted emergency warnings with news footage showing black smoke billowing over homes and at least three vehicles going up in flames.
The NSW Rural Fire Service confirmed that one property had been destroyed by fire at Winmalee at the base of the Blue Mountains and another at Marsden Park with several firefighters injured.
"Six have suffered smoke inhalation. One taken to hospital for observation," it said, having earlier tweeted that seven were hurt.
"All major fires today are under investigation to find their cause. Until investigation is complete the cause of these fires is unknown," it added.
At Castlereagh, a 300-acre grass fire was threatening homes and rural properties while at
Windsor another blaze was burning under strong northerly winds.
State Premier Barry O'Farrell told parliament more than 500 firefighters were responding to the blazes, which follow 27 dry days in Sydney and mark a very early start to the bushfire season, just 10 days after the official end of winter.
Some 60 fires erupted in the country's most populous state of New South Wales, aided by temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius and gusting winds with water-bombing helicopters being used to tackle the danger.
Four blazes on Sydney's western fringes prompted emergency warnings with news footage showing black smoke billowing over homes and at least three vehicles going up in flames.
The NSW Rural Fire Service confirmed that one property had been destroyed by fire at Winmalee at the base of the Blue Mountains and another at Marsden Park with several firefighters injured.
"Six have suffered smoke inhalation. One taken to hospital for observation," it said, having earlier tweeted that seven were hurt.
"All major fires today are under investigation to find their cause. Until investigation is complete the cause of these fires is unknown," it added.
At Castlereagh, a 300-acre grass fire was threatening homes and rural properties while at
Windsor another blaze was burning under strong northerly winds.
State Premier Barry O'Farrell told parliament more than 500 firefighters were responding to the blazes, which follow 27 dry days in Sydney and mark a very early start to the bushfire season, just 10 days after the official end of winter.
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