NSW fires: arson squad investigating whether bushfire that destroyed 16 homes was deliberately lit | Bushfires
Arson squad and forensic officers are investigating the cause of a bushfire that destroyed 16 homes on the New South Wales Central Coast at the weekend.
The fire, which got out of control due to high temperatures and strong winds, spread to Koolewong on Saturday afternoon, with the flames at one point spreading into waters 1 km wide.
On Tuesday morning, NSW police confirmed a crime scene had been established at homes and residences on Nimbin Avenue, Glenrock Parade and John Street in Koolewong.
Rural Fire Service (RFS) commissioner Trent Curtin said it was still unclear how the Koolewong fire started.
Speaking to ABC radio, Curtin said: “We don’t want to speculate at this stage what the cause might be. There are a lot of things that could happen.”
The national broadcaster reported that a police officer was photographed at the scene carrying a clear plastic evidence bag containing a red canister.
NSW police say investigations are ongoing at “active crime scene” It had been suspended due to “safety concerns”, with structural engineers now engaged.
“Investigations are expected to resume once the area has been declared safe by authorities,” a spokesman said.
“While investigations are ongoing, the NSW police force, Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW Rural Fire Service will continue operations in the area for the foreseeable future.”
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Central Coast Council said it could not comment because the police investigation was ongoing.
Four more homes were destroyed by a bushfire in Bulahdelah on the mid-north coast over the weekend. In Tasmania, 19 homes were lost at Dolphin Sands.
The Tasmanian Fire Service issued new “watch and act” advice for Dolphin Sands on Tuesday afternoon.
“While there is no immediate danger from the bushfire, residents need to monitor conditions and remain alert for any changes,” the service said.
Dolphin Sands Road, which has been closed since Thursday’s fire, was due to reopen to the public on Tuesday afternoon.
Fire commander Jason Elmer said wind conditions have eased enough to allow safe access for local traffic.
Firefighters in NSW were continuing to contain a bushfire south of Bulahdelah that has burned more than 4,600 hectares on both sides of the Pacific Highway.
The fire was burning at control level in the Myall Lakes national park between the Crawford River and Nerong.
The RFS had urged the small community of Nerong to prepare to evacuate on Monday evening but the burnback was successful overnight.
On Tuesday morning the RFS was trying to extinguish fires in the area with the help of helicopters dropping water bombs.
Tracy, who owns a holiday home opposite the national park in Nerong, had been watching embers on her property until 2am. He came to the city four days ago to make preparations.
“We put cans of water out front, with buckets on top of them, because we had no way of protecting our homes if we lost power,” he said Tuesday.
“Fire and rescue teams were here along the street [last night] and the brigades were all in the bush.
“I was definitely nervous yesterday, but as soon as all the crews arrived, they took over and we checked our houses for embers.”
With hot, dry conditions expected for the remainder of the day, the RFS was urging communities along Bombah Point Road, Crawford River and Branch to monitor conditions.
Bushfire smoke had affected air quality from the Central Coast to Sydney.
Air quality was poor in the Lower Hunter, Lake Macquarie and Central Coast regions on Tuesday morning, according to government monitoring. Air quality was reasonable in both western Sydney and the eastern suburbs.
