A devastating wildfire swept through a coastal community north of Sydney, leaving at least a dozen homes destroyed or badly damaged. The blaze struck Koolewong, on the Central Coast of New South Wales, about 45 km from Sydney, engulfing homes and forcing residents to flee.
Local authorities described the fire as “fast-moving,” especially after a sudden wind-shift that sent the flames racing into residential streets. Emergency crews deployed rapidly — including more than 250 firefighters, 50 fire trucks and aerial support — to try to keep the blaze from spreading further.
As night fell, an evacuation centre was set up at Gosford RSL for dozens of displaced families, while transport services in the region were disrupted. Despite the destruction to property, officials confirmed that no loss of life had been reported, though they warned the number of destroyed homes could still rise as assessments continue.
The wildfire is part of a broader wave of bushfires sweeping across New South Wales, driven by extreme heat, dry vegetation and erratic wind. Over 75 fires remain active across the state, and authorities have urged residents to stay alert as conditions remain volatile.
The local community, support agencies and state government have mobilized to offer emergency accommodation, financial aid and other forms of assistance to those who lost homes — while also warning residents to heed fire bans and evacuation orders as the fire season continues.
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