A seaside town has been left devastated after a fast-moving bushfire ripped through dozens of homes and businesses.
Up to 70 properties, including a popular caravan park, in Tathra east of Bega on the New South Wales far south coast, have been destroyed.
The fast-moving blaze broke out on Sunday, and firefighters who fought the inferno described embers the size of tennis balls falling on the picturesque town.
The fire, fanned by very strong winds and high temperatures in the state’s east, burned through several kilometres of bushland and crossed a river before it reached Tathra.
A seaside town has been left devastated after a fast-moving bushfire ripped through dozens of homes and businesses
Up to 70 properties, including a popular caravan park, in Tathra east of Bega on the New South Wales far south coast, have been destroyed
The fast-moving blaze broke out on Sunday, and firefighters who fought the inferno described embers the size of tennis balls falling on the picturesque town
But residents have been traumatised by the speed of the flames which took barely half an hour to cross the Bega River and hit the Tathra area.
‘It’s horrible but it could have been a lot, lot worse,’ one resident said early on Monday morning.
Bega Valley mayor Kristy McBain said about 35 properties had been damaged or destroyed and the town’s roads, water system and sewage treatment plant were also damaged.
Communication were affected after a mobile phone tower collapsed, making it difficult to determine how many people remained in the town.
NSW Rural Fire Service Deputy Commissioner Rob Rodgers said the situation around Tathra was dire
Up to 70 homes have already been destroyed in the small coastal town in New South Wales
‘There are no reports of any loss of life, so it will be very much about trying to track these people down,’ Ms McBain told AAP.
The NSW Rural Fire Service says the 1000-hectare blaze is still out of control.
However, the threat level was downgraded late Sunday night after a southerly wind change helped ease hot conditions.
No-one has been reported missing so far.
An entire town is under threat of being completely wiped out by an out of control bushfire with an emergency warning in place
Two dozen fire crews are battling the blaze which is affecting the area from Tathra to Tarraganda as strong winds pushed the fire into Tathra after crossing the Bega River
Hundreds of residents and tourists fled to evacuation centres in Bega and Bermagui, after access to Tathra cut off, to spend the night waiting for news.
Assessment teams are due to arrive in the area on early Monday to inspect properties and confirm the damage.
Tathra Beach Motor Village said it had experienced ‘significant’ damage and would be closed until further notice.
The blaze tore through its front office and reception area but management wasn’t able to confirm what other parts had been affected.
The NSW RFS said on Sunday a total of 26 bush and grass fires were burning across the state, 12 of them were not contained
‘This is a very dire and devastating situation for all involved,’ a post on the park’s Facebook page said.
Tathra Public School, Bega High School, Tanja Public School and Bournda Environmental Education Centre will all be closed on Monday.
It’s unclear if any have been damaged or destroyed.
The Insurance Council of Australia has declared the fire ‘catastrophe’, meaning claims by those affected by the blaze will be given priority.
Paul Brunton, 59, made contact with his family after they were unable to reach him when he was last seen going to check on neighbours
Two dozen fire crews are battling the blaze which is affecting the area from Tathra to Tarraganda as strong winds pushed the fire into Tathra after crossing the Bega River
The full extent of the damage in Tathra won’t be known until the Building Impact Assessment Teams arrive
However, the ICA said it’s too early to determine the extent of buildings lost or estimate the financial toll.
Temperatures are expected to reach 30C in the Bega region on Tuesday, with light easterly winds in the afternoon.
On Sunday South East Regional Hospital reported an influx of patients suffering from smoke inhalation.
David Lamb posted to Facebook they had been ‘crazy busy’.
People who are south of the Bega River are being advised to seek shelter, with many of the roads in and out of the area already blocked
The out-of-control bushfire has already destroyed 70 homes in the small coastal town
Twiiter user Avon Perera’s wife took these photos as the family evacuated Tathra as fire raged around them
‘Lots of smoke inhalation cases but no burns so far, thank God. Some of the nurses here have lost their homes but they are still working helping others,’ he said.
Family of Paul Brunton, 59, posted on social media after he was last seen leaving Kianinny Bay to check on his neighbours.
He made contact with his family soon after the alert was put out, a reminder of how important it is to remain in contact with family and friends if possible.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull spoke of the situation in his closing address at the ASEAN Summit on Sunday afternoon.
The view from the road out of the town of Tathra as residents evacuated on Sunday afternoon
Spokesman for the NSW RFS Greg Allen said fire crews were being assisted by water bombing aircraft
Mr Turnbull urged those in fire-ravaged areas to follow the advice and directions of the emergency management authorities.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who have been affected,’ he said.
‘Obviously it’s a very dynamic situation. There is no reports at this stage of casualties but there are thousands of hectares that have been burnt and a very large number of stock of sheep and cattle have been destroyed as well.
‘I want to thank all of the state emergency services, the firefighters, the volunteers who are working tirelessly. I urge everyone to follow the advice and direction of the emergency management authorities. Your safety is their first priority.’
Most of Tathra was evacuated as it is feared the fire could burn through the entire town which has a population of 1622 people