An out-of-control blaze that destroyed bushland on the Coogee Cliffs in Sydney is now being treated as suspicious.
Emergency services received multiple Triple Zero calls about a fire Dunningham Reserve, Coogee, at about 4.45pm on Saturday.
Police said the fire may have been have been deliberately lit, and have been told several young people were seen in the area about the time the fire broke out.
The huge blaze raged along the coast of the popular spot throughout the afternoon, with fire crews continuing to battle it into the evening.
About 200 square metres of land between Coogee and Gordon’s Bay in the city’s eastern suburbs was burnt.
Thick billows of smoke engulfed the streets, forced hundreds of people to flee their homes.
A huge blaze (pictured) burned along the coast of one of Sydney’s most popular beaches
The large bush fire burned about 200 metres of land between Coogee and Gordon’s Bay (pictured)
The fire started Saturday afternoon and firefighters struggled to contain the blaze (pictured)
Fire crews fought the ‘hectic’ blaze Saturday afternoon, which residents described as ‘pretty scary’ and like ‘a big explosion’.
‘Never seen anything like this in Coogee,’ one person wrote online.
Thick plumes of smoke were seen from a number of locations along the coast and the airport.
The black smoke filled the sky, making it a stark contrast to the swimmers basking in the sun on the beach.
There were reportedly more than 100 calls made to fire fighters by concerned onlookers.
At least three fire crews and a number of helicopters were fighting the grass fire which started late in the afternoon.
Authorities swept the headland north of Coogee for walkers but reported no one was in danger.
Early reports suggested the fire may have been started deliberately.
‘Never seen anything like this in Coogee,’ one person wrote online
Firefighters have been fighting the blaze which locals described as ‘pretty scary’
At least three fire crews and a number of helicopters are fighting the grass fire (pictured)
While the popular beach side suburb isn’t known for it’s bushfires, thick plumes of smoke were seen from a number of locations along the coast
Authorities swept the headland north of Coogee for walkers but reported no one is in danger