Belmont Bushfire Latest

BY IAN CROUCH

At least 50 homes have been saved from a fast-moving bushfire at Belmont overnight.

The fire broke out in Merleview Avenue just before 6.00pm on Thursday and quickly took hold fanned by southerly winds gusting up to 50 kilometres per hour.

The Rural Fire Service issued an Emergency Warning at about 7 o'clock as the fire threatened the rear of homes, it was subsequently downgraded to Watch and Act at 9.30pm then Advice Level around midnight.

Around 80 hectares has been scorched and there are still 5 active areas of fire this morning.

The RFS says strategic backburns have been conducted on the eastern side of the fire along the Fernleigh Track and on the western side of the fire behind homes on Wommara Avenue and residents need to remain vigilant.

Meanwhile, Police say Golding Avenue, Railway Crescent, John Darling Avenue and the Fernleigh Track at Belmont and Redhead will be closed from 7 this morning to allow crews to continue mopping up the blaze.

Only local residents will be allowed into these areas.

The Bushfire At Belmont Lights Up The Night Sky Picture: pressform.info

UPDATE! Belmont Bushfire Downgraded As Condtions Ease

BY IAN CROUCH

A bushfire emergency at Belmont has eased with the Rural Fire Service downgrading the blaze to Watch and Act staus.

Strong southerly winds which had been gusting up to 50 kilometres per hour  have now dropped back to around 35 kilometres per hour.

More than 30 fire trucks are at the scene with in excess of 100 firefighters providing property protection to homes east of Merleview Street from possible ember attack.

Where possible, backburning will be undertaken in a bid to contain the fire.

The Rural Fire Service says although the situation has eased, residents need to remain vigilant and be aware embers can be blown ahead of the fire and create spot fires in and around your property.

The RFS says residents in the area of Goulding Ave, Railway Crescent, Kalaroo Road, John Darling Ave, John Fisher Rd and Siloam Dr should follow their bush fire survival plan. If your plan is to leave, leave now before the fire threatens.

EARLIER:

An emergency warning has been issued for a large bushfire at Belmont.

Around 80 NSW and RFS firefighters with 20 fire trucks are undertaking property protection at Goulding Avenue, Railway Crescent and Kalaroo Road as well as John Darling Avenue, John Fisher Road and Siloam Drive.

The fire was first reported in Merleview Street at 6.45pm on Thursday and has burnt through 50 hectares.

Newcastle Fire Command says no properties are currently under direct threat from the fire and they have sufficient resources on the ground and more on standby to protect homes from ember attack.

For the latest information go to the NSW RFS website.

2NUR-FM will continue monitoring the situation and will keep listeners informed and up to date on the latest developments.