Sydney's homes are painted pink to save them from 'catastrophic' bushfires: Firefighters spray houses with fire retardant as thousands of families are forced to flee (41 Pics)

A fire that threatened to destroy dozens of multimillion-dollar homes in Sydney's suburbs may have been deliberately lit by firebugs.

The blaze was burning out of control in forest close to homes near South Turramurra on the city's North Shore, with flames leaping as high as four metres into the air. 

The blaze began just after 4.20pm on Tuesday, with an RFS operated Hercules helicopter dropping fire retardant on the area around Canoon Road and Kissing Point Road at about 4.45pm.

Residents in the area were told it was too late to leave.  

'Walked out the front door, fire trucks racing down the street, flames three, four metres tall…pretty hectic,' Sean Murphy told Nine News.

Another resident added: 'It seems like only 20 to 30 metres in but it only took five or 10 minutes until the whole lot took up and flames probably about 150 feet in the air through the tree tops.'

Bushland, streets and homes in South Turramurra were a bright pink hue after being sprayed with fire retardant from above

A helicopter sprayed fire retardant onto homes and bushland to stop Tuesday's out of control fires from spreading

The bushfire threat has since been downgraded from emergency to advice level.

'The fire is under control and the immediate threat to properties has eased,' NSW RFS tweeted just before 6pm. 

There are fears the South Turramurra blazes may have been deliberately lit.

'Someone came up to me and asked if I saw anyone running out of the bushes because they think it could have been arson,' one resident told Seven News.   

NSW Police has confirmed a crime scene has been established in bushland where the fires broke out.

'We're investigating the circumstances of those fires,' a police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.

Fires burned out of control in Sydney's north ahead of a wind change on Tuesday night that could send infernos in a completely new direction, spelling disaster for at risk areas.

Firefighters have been on high-alert since early Tuesday morning, with a mix of 37C temperatures and winds of up to 90km/h sparking a 'catastrophic' warning across swathes of New South Wales, including the state capital. 

The pink hues pictured are from fire retardant sprayed from above to save South Turramarra homes on Tuesday afternoon

The out of control blazes in bushland on Sydney's north shore took their toll on firefighters, who ensured no homes were lost

An out of control fire was burning in forest near South Turramurra, in Sydney's north, with flames leaping into the air

Houses in the danger area at South Turramurra were left covered in pink fire retardant after an RFS Hercules helicopter drop

Firefighters were busy after a catastrophic fire danger was declared for the the greater Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra areas

A firefighter battling the South Turramurra blazes suffered a fractured wrist and suspected fractured ribs while slipping on fire retardant. 

Another two firefighters were also taken to hospital after they suffered smoke inhalation while fighting fires in the Hunter region north of Sydney. 

On the state's north coast, a blaze along the Liberation Trail north-west of Coffs Harbour has been updated to emergency level.

'The fire has breached containment lines and is threatening Yarracooma, Paddys Plain, Cradle Creek and Lowanna. If you are in these areas, leave now towards Dorrigo before it is too late,' NSW RFS warned.

At 6.30pm on Tuesday, 13 bushfires across NSW were at emergency warning  while another seven were at watch and act with dangerous conditions forecast for another few more hours.

A firefighter was taken to hospital with wrist and suspected rib fractures after he slipped on the fire retardant

Many South Turramurra residents returned home from work to find their home covered in pink fire retardant

Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia they're investigating whether the South Turramurra blazes were deliberately lit

Homes on Canoon Road and Barwon Avenue in South Turramurra were sprayed in fire retardant on Tuesday afternoon

While temperatures across NSW should drop by up to 10C this evening, the hour between 6pm and 7pm is the time that experts claim could be the most dangerous for areas around Sydney, including the Blue Mountains.

A change in winds forecast for this time could see fires switch directions instantly, turning the flank of blazes that are under control into towering walls of fire. 

NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons urged residents to remain vigilant. 

'We have been dealing with fires on the north coast, new fires in other parts of New South Wales, including the Greater Sydney environment, he told reporters late Tuesday afternoon. 

'We need people to remain vigilant and act in accordance with their plan and any guidance provided by the authorities. We still have many hours yet of these strong dry winds to dominate and influence weather and fire behaviour. 

'We've still got the southerly change expected to move through later tonight, across the fire grounds still burning up in northern New South Wales. We're watching very closely at the fire north of Hawkesbury, in the north of the Hawkesbury area, moving into Putty Road. It's developing a fairly significant smoke column, so we're mindful of the potential for that fire to continue to burn and burn aggressively for some time.' 

Fire retardant was dropped on Canoon Road homes in South Turramurra on Sydney's lower north shore. The blaze is now under control and immediate threat to properties has eased

He added that firefighters and people on the ground will have to deal with whatever the southerly change brings on Tuesday night while aircraft are grounded.

'So the last thing we can afford is for people to become complacent or become relaxed, because we're getting towards the end of the day,' Commissioner Fitzsimmons said. 

Those fighting the fires in northern NSW will be on edge well into the night, with the strong winds not expected to reach Taree and surrounding areas until closer to midnight.

At 5pm there were more than 50 blazes burning in both NSW and Queensland with up to 20,000 firefighters trying to stop them spreading, and the Army preparing to use helicopters to evacuate residents whose lives are at risk.  

Thousands of residents on the NSW mid-north coast have already been told that it is too late to leave their homes.

Long night ahead: The firefighters in the mid-north are facing a long night ahead as a southerly wind picks up around midnight and into Wednesday morning. Pictured: A firefighter at Koorainghat on Tuesday

Jamie Fato tries to stop an out of control fire entering Owen Whalan's property at Koorainghat, near Taree, on the Mid North Coast region of NSW, on Tuesday

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a 'state of emergency' on Sunday, handing control over the management of the bushfires to the Rural Fire Service.

As part of this move, RFS officers have the ability to force people to evacuate at risk areas even if they want to stay and defend their homes.  

Sydneysiders woke up to a smoky but calm morning with two infernos - one in the Hawkesbury and another in the Blue Mountains - under control.

But fire bosses warned against complacency and said the fires are likely to spread throughout the day, potentially threatening 100,000 homes around the Harbour City.

Between 1pm and 2.30pm today the number of fires under emergency status in mid-north NSW rapidly increased from five to ten as firefighters brace for 'really long night' when winds pick up after dark.

Rural Fire Service NSW commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says Tuesday is playing out as predicted with average winds up to 60km/h across the ranges, with gusts over 70km/h. 

'The reality is conditions will simply continue to get worse and deteriorate over the coming hours,' Mr Fitzsimmons said.

'They will continue to strengthen and build ahead of the passage of that cold front that's moving across the state.

'Later on today, we're expecting the southerly to start influencing and driving like a southerly buster up the coastal strip, and more southwesterly-southerly across the ranges and further inland.'

While a cool change would normally be seen as good news, meteorologist Rob Sharpe explained the dangers of it to Sky News. 

'Any fires burning near the coast will become extremely dangerous as the change arrives as the fire flank will suddenly become the fire front,' Mr Sharpe said.

'We've noticed that at 9am the cool change crossed the Victorian and NSW border slightly ahead of the forecast.

'The southerly buster is due to reach Wollongong around 5pm, Sydney at 6pm or 7pm and Newcastle close to 8pm.'

Four people were charged by NSW Police on Tuesday for breaching a total fire ban, including a nine-year-old boy.

The youngster was caught using a blowtorch to light a fire in long grass behind Sullivan Street at Worrigee, near Nowra. He was issued a warning under the Young Offenders Act.

The suburbs most directly at risk of fire are near the bushland areas around the city such as the Hawkesbury region and Hornsby in the north, Penrith in the west and Camden, Campbelltown and Sutherland in the south. Fire chiefs cannot predict exactly where fires will be and have urged residents to keep up with the situation which may change due to the weather

The shirts of their back: The three men successful managed to put out the majority of this blaze, but know there is more ahead

Desperate measures: Residents try to knock down spot fires, from a bushfire, heading towards a house on a property at Koorainghat, near Taree on Tuesday

On hand: A brave firefighter works to contain a fire at Koorainghat, near Taree, New South Wales on Tuesday

Disaster looming: Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said firefighters and affected communities were facing 'a really long night' as winds strengthened. Pictured: Flames burn at Half Chain road at Koorainghat on Tuesday

Protecting their land: Residents try to contain a fire at Koorainghat, near Taree, New South Wales on Wednesday

Adding to the pain for firefighters and residents in at-risk is a distinct lack of rain on the horizon over coming days.

In fact according to RFS commissioner Mr Fitzsimmons, dry and warm conditions are due to dominate for the days and weeks, with 

'As we look out a little bit further, we're expecting a cyclical pattern of increasing temperatures as we head into the end of this week and indeed as we head into next week,' he said.

'It's going to be a long, difficult fire season, and we've got the worst of our conditions typically ahead of us over the coming months as we head into summer.' 

Everything that can be done is being done 

Scott Morrison on Tuesday 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned against complacency, saying this morning was the 'calm before the storm'.

'We're not expecting the front until the early afternoon around 2pm... it will be a strong wind and will blow its way all the way up the coast,' he told Ray Hadley on radio station 2GB on Tuesday morning. 

But the PM tried to prevent mass panic, adding: 'Just want to assure people, Ray, that everything that can be done is being done.'  

'The one mercy in all this is there's been a few days to prepare and for people to prepare and I trust people have done that,' he said. 

A fire at Mount Gosper in the Hawkesbury was put out at around 2pm - around the same that another grass fire flared out of control in Penrith, while a blaze at Woodford in the Blue Mountains remained under control.

In a press conference at 2pm, Mr Fitzsimmons said he hoped there would be no new fires around Sydney. 

'Touch wood, we don't have any significant outbreaks of new fire at this stage, causing any issue. But we still can't rule that out,' he said.  

Warning: Fire bosses warned against complacency and said the fires are likely to spread throughout the day. Pictured: A fire near Taree, mid New South Wales on Monday

Blaze: A firefighter battles the flames during bushfires near Taree on the mid-north coast of New South Wales on Monday

Destruction: An aerial view shows burnt bushland near Port Macquarie, with some trees orange and others turned to ash

Apocalyptic: There was so much ash on the ground after bushland was burnt in Port Macquarie that it looked like snow

Further north, the towns of Coffs Harbour and Nambucca Heads are bracing for catastrophe as fires there are expected to burn all the way to the coast on Tuesday afternoon. 

As of 2.30pm there were ten fires under emergency status in New South Wales on the mid-north coast - as firefighters prepared for a long night.

A blaze at Thunderbolts Way in Bretti, northwest of Taree, is burning across 10,000 hectares and is out of control, while residents at Nowendoc and Mount George have been told 'it is too late to leave'.

Another out-of-control fire at nearby Hillville is burning across nearly 20,000ha.

There are also emergency fires further north, at Llangothlin north of Armidale, and Torrington north of Glen Innes, with the latter blaze already razing 60,000ha.

A fifth emergency was also issued at Carrai East in Willi Willi National Park, northwest of Port Macquarie, for an out-of-control fire over 75,000ha. The fire is heading towards east towards Kempsey, with those in the town's west under threat.

There are two fires in Queensland with prepare to leave warnings at Townson and Clumber. 

Meanwhile, police have warned about criminals looting from the ruined houses of devastated bushfire victims in the mid-north coast of NSW.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said any thefts would be 'thoroughly' investigated, adding: 'These communities have suffered enough without individuals stealing what items they have left.' 

Burning: The moon at over the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Monday morning appears orange amid smoke from bushfires

Map of horror: Weatherzone reported that Tuesday's 'southerly buster' (pictured) will cause fires burning near the NSW coast to change direction 

Mr Fitzsimmons said the RFS had taken all necessary preparations, but were still left to hope for the best. 

'We plan for these sorts of days but we always hope they never come,' he said on Tuesday morning.

'We are planned, we are escalated to a heightened level of stand-by and readiness in anticipation of anything that might break out today.

'All that can be done is being done. All that needs to be done today will be done. We need everybody to do their part.' 

Amid the dangerous conditions, the Rural Fire Service urged residents to report anyone tossing a lit cigarette, which carries a $1,320 fine on total fire ban days such as today.

On Monday the Rural Fire Service warned residents in dangerous areas to escape while there was still time.

'Some fires may start and spread so quickly there is little time for a warning, so do not wait and see,' a statement read.

'There are simply not enough fire trucks for every house. If you call for help, you may not get it. Do not expect a firetruck. Do not expect a knock on the door. Do not expect a phone call. Your safest option will always be to leave early.'   

Mr Fitzsimmons urged people living in areas facing the worst threat - including the North Shore, the Hawkesbury region, Penrith, Campbelltown and Sutherland - to leave now. 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a state of emergency on Monday, the first since the Blue Mountains bushfires in 2013, warning, 'tomorrow is not the day to be complacent'.

'You might think you're OK and a few minutes later you won't be. Please heed all the messages you receive,' 'Ms Berejiklian said. 

Escaped with their lives: Lyn and Peter Iverson with their burnt out office and shed on their property at Half Chain road, Koorainghat in New South Wales on Monday

Devastation: A home destroyed by bushfire in Koorainghat, south of Taree in New South Wales on Monday

Officials have advised people to evacuate while they can saying emergency services will not be able to save everyone. Pictured: Flames encroaching a residential street in Harrington, on the Mid North Coast, on Friday

Residents across Sydney and NSW are facing 'catastrophic' conditions on Tuesday as rising temperatures are expected to aggravate bushfires. Pictured: Firefighters tackle wildfires in Taree, 350km north of Sydney on Saturday 

Nervous wait: Wytaliba resident Storm Sparks holds her son Zeke Bacon as she waits to get back to her house at a roadblock near Glen Innes on Monday

Fire Fighters inspect burnt vintage motor bikes in Torrington on November 11, 2019 in Torrington, Australia

So far, fires in the NSW north-east have claimed three lives, destroyed more than 150 homes, and razed more than 1 million hectares (3,800 square miles) of forest and farmland since Friday. 

The week-long declaration of a state of emergency gives the Rural Fire Service sweeping powers to control resources and direct other government agencies. 

Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell issued an order to local base commanders to use defence resources in fire efforts. 

Firefighter strike teams have also been transported from Canberra, Adelaide and Hobart to Port Macquarie. 

More than 400 NSW schools were closed on Tuesday, including about 300 public schools and more than 100 Catholic and independent schools. More than 50 did not operate on Monday. About 20 TAFE campuses will also close.   

'Safety remains the number one priority. If it is not safe to travel to school please do not attend and inform the school of your intention,' NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell warned.  

Doctors and paramedics have already treated more than 100 people for fire-related injuries, including 20 firefighters, Ambulance Commissioner Dominic Morgan said.

Authorities said the catastrophic fire danger rating is in effect for the Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter, Illawarra/Shoalhaven areas.  

But fire bosses have warned 'no area is entirely safe' as high winds could send dangerous embers capable of sparking secondary fires towards beachside suburbs such as Manly and even Sydney's CBD.

Ben Shepheard of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service warned that 'everywhere in Sydney', as well as surrounding areas, may be affected. 

'The high winds we are expecting on Tuesday mean that embers travel large distances. For example, if there is a fire in Garigal National Park then embers may fall in and around Manly,' he told Daily Mail Australia.    

Map of horror: A diagram issued by the Rural Fire Service warns of a catastrophic danger - the highest level - to the Greaterv Sydney and Greater Hunter regions as temperatures will hit 37C on Tuesday

Sydney braces for fire: How NSW's government agencies are preparing for the worst

NSW Police have released important public information regarding bush fires as the state braces for 'catastrophic' conditions tomorrow

DEFENCE AID:

Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell has issued an order to local base commanders to make clear they can use defence resources in the fire effort.   

RAAF aircraft have transported firefighter strike teams from Canberra, Adelaide and Hobart to Port Macquarie.

Singleton Army Barracks in NSW is on stand-by to provide accommodation and catering support to firefighters from the Victorian Country Fire Authority.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service are using Kokoda Barracks in Canungra to refuel aircraft.

Defence has embedded planners into Queensland State Disaster Coordination Centres and New South Wales Rural Fire Service headquarters.

SCHOOLS: 

More than 400 schools across the state will be shut, including about 300 public schools and more than 100 Catholic and independent schools.

About 20 TAFE campuses will also close.

'Safety remains the number one priority. If is not safe to travel to school please do not attend and inform the school of your intention,' Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said. 

A list of the affect schools can be found on NSW Department of Education's website, which will be updated throughout the day.    

AREAS AT RISK:   

RFS has issued a catastrophic fire danger rating for the Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter, Illawarra/Shoalhaven areas.

Catastrophic is the highest level of bush fire dangers and homes are not designed to withstand a fire in these conditions. 

While there are large population centres under catastrophic conditions, there are also large areas of Severe and Extreme fire danger.

This includes areas where we already have dangerous fires burning – and these conditions will be worse than those experienced last week.

A Total Fire Ban is in place for the whole of the state.

WARNINGS:  

RFS is urging residents to stay up to date on fires in their area by downloading the 'Fires Near Me' app: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me.

Residents are advised to evacuate as soon as they sense danger as some fires could start and spread quickly with little warning, and emergency services are not guaranteed to arrive in time.   

What to do:

• Start taking action now to reduce your risk.
• Avoid bush fire prone areas. If your home is in a bush fire prone area, the safest option is to not be there.
• Do not travel through bushland areas.
• A safer location may be a large town or city, shopping centres or facilities well away from bushland. It may also be a designated 'Neighbourhood Safer Place'.
• A Neighbourhood Safer Place is designed as a Place of Last Resort in bush fire emergencies only. Please note that travelling to or sheltering at a Neighbourhood Safer Place does not guarantee your safety. 
• People with special needs, such as the elderly and people with a disability, should always leave before the threat of bush fire.
• If you're preparing to leave, make sure you pack your medications, including those in the fridge. Smoke can cause health problems, particularly for people with pre-existing lung and heart conditions like asthma, emphysema, angina or heart failure. 
• Avoid outdoor physical activity if it's smoky, particularly if you have a pre-existing condition like asthma. People with asthma should follow their asthma management plans. If you have asthma, make sure you keep your reliever medication close to hand. 
• If it is unsafe to leave the area or stay and defend your property, and the path is clear, you should move to your pre-identified Neighbourhood Safer Place, or other safer location, prior to the impact of a bush fire.
• Be aware that when you are travelling to your Neighbourhood Safer Place there may be heavy smoke and poor visibility.
• It is important that you are familiar with the area. Gather at the Neighbourhood Safer Place location and remain there until the bush fire threat has passed.
• The conditions at the Neighbourhood Safer Place may be uncomfortable and you may be affected by heat, smoke and embers.
• Water, toilets and food may not be available at the Neighbourhood Safer Place and emergency service personnel may not be present.
• Neighbourhood Safer Places are not intended for pets and livestock. 
• For more information about the fires, contact the Bush Fire Information Line - 1800 679 737

Bureau of Meteorology (BoM):

A strong cold front will move through NSW on Tuesday, with hot, dry and gusty conditions ahead of the front generating very dangerous fire conditions over the ranges, slopes and coast.

All people in bush fire prone areas in NSW need to have a bush fire plan, remain vigilant, and monitor warnings and messages from the RFS.

Damaging wind gusts are also possible over parts of the southern ranges, Illawarra, Sydney coastal fringe and Hunter Coastal Fringe on Tuesday. Areas of raised dust are also forecast west of the Great Dividing Range, and there is a change that this system will bring dust to some coastal districts.

EVACUATION CENTRES:

Evacuation Centres are in place throughout fire-affected areas of the state. The most up-to-date information is available at https://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/Pages/for-the-community/disaster-assistance/disaster-assistance.aspx

The NSW Police Force keep their Facebook page up to date with evacuation centres that re open. Please monitor https://www.facebook.com/nswpoliceforce/ 

TRANSPORT:

Motorists should delay all non-essential travel.

Many roads remain closed due to bush fires. Be prepared for conditions to change quickly and roads to close suddenly.

If you need to travel, also make sure you've got water, food, supplies and a full tank of fuel. Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged before you set out.

If you're already travelling when a bush fire starts, follow the directions of emergency services personnel.

Due to fire activity, both man and local roads may close without warning. For the latest information on road closures, check www.livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW app or call 132 701.

All North Coast Train Services, from Sydney to Casino and Sydney to Grafton and their return trips have been cancelled until Wednesday due to the bush fires. Passengers are advised to delay any non-essential travel to the bush fire-affected areas.

For the latest information on public transport, check transportnsw.info or download a transport app or call 131 500. 

NSW AMBULANCE

NSW Ambulance recommends if anyone sustains any form of burn they should cool the affected area immediately with water – ideally running water – for a minimum of 20 minutes (for eyes ensure you flush the eye) and seek medical attention. 

NSW Ambulance is always here to help - never be afraid to call Triple Zero. 

AGRICULTURE & ANIMAL SERVICES:

Include your animals in your bush fire plan.

If you can, take your animals with you. Assistance from AASFA is available if you attend an evacuation centre.

For those impacted and seeking assistance for emergency fodder, emergency water (for immediate animal welfare cases only) or animal assessment (resulting from the fires) please contact the AASFA Hotline on 1800 814 647.

NSW ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY (EPA): 

Large volumes of waste have been generated from the bush fires and the EPA will work with local authorities to ensure the waste can be appropriately moved and disposed of when it is safe to do so.

The EPA is also monitoring impacts on its licensed premises and providing advice to licensees about how to manage their sites given the challenging conditions.

The community can report environmental concerns to the Environment Line 24/7 on 131 555.

RECOVERY: 

The State Emergency Recovery Controller has indicated a State Recovery Committee will be established to coordinate the significant recovery effort resulting from this event. The EPA will play a key role on the state level and related regional level committees which are likely to be active for the remainder of the bush fire season.

UTILITIES:  

Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.

Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.   

On guard: NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured on Monday at RFS HQ) officially declared a state of emergency which will last for seven days - as fire chiefs warned the infernos will be too dangerous to put out

Ravaged: A burnt car at a property destroyed by a bushfire near Glen Innes, New South Wales - as the worst is yet to come

 Sydney nursing homes and aged care centres are also preparing for the worst and have been reviewing evacuation plans.  

In Sydney's Northern Beaches, police issued a statement on social media on Monday warning residents that tomorrow 'will not be a normal day.' 

'We're hoping for the best but planning for the worst. The best is no fires,' they said in a Facebook post. 'The worst is a 1 in 100 year event.' 

Fire chiefs warned that conditions could be so bad that it will be too dangerous for firefighters to try to put out the flames. 

Some 400 firefighters are flying in from interstate and 50 firetrucks are driving up from Victoria to be stationed in the Hunter region, north of Sydney. 

The fires are producing so much smoke that Brisbane's air quality is three times worse than Beijing's - as the smog blows as far east as New Zealand and Vanuatu.  

Over the weekend a man and two women in their sixties died in northern New South Wales as they attempted to flee too late - and more than 100 people, including 20 firefighters, have been injured.

Apocalyptic footage showed the sky over Port Macquarie turn a vibrant orange due to the flames and smoke on Sunday night.

Millions of dollars worth of damage has been caused as insurance companies send specialist disaster teams into fire-ravaged areas, with 150 claims lodged by 11am on Monday, according to the Insurance Council.

Climate change campaigners are blaming the disaster on global warming - but Scott Morrison on Sunday refused to comment on whether climate change is a factor.

'My only thoughts today are with those who have lost their lives and their families,' he said after he was heckled by a protester in Taree where he was visiting victims.

Ms Berejiklian mimicked his stance on Monday, saying: 'I thought it was inappropriate that people were trying to talk about climate change yesterday when people wanted to stay alive.'

Destruction: A firefighter works to contain a bushfire near Taree, New South Wales by spraying water on a smoldering tree

Damage: On Sunday a fire truck was hit by falling branches at Nambucca Heads and two firefighters were rushed to hospital with injuries

Ruins: A house destroyed by a bushfire is seen in Torrington, near Glen Innes. Dozens of homes have been ruined by the fires