NSW: Homes lost to bushfires in southern NSW

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2009
NSW: Homes lost to bushfires in southern NSW

SYDNEY, Dec 17 AAP - Houses have been lost to a bushfire burning in hot, dry conditions
in southern NSW, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) says.

RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told the Seven Network weather conditions had deteriorated
on Thursday, making it a difficult afternoon for the state's firefighters.

More than 80 fires are burning across NSW, with unconfirmed reports a house had been
destroyed by fire in Londonderry, in Sydney's northwest.

Near Albury, in the state's south, more buildings had been lost, Mr Fitzsimmons said.

"Things are very difficult this afternoon. We've seen weather conditions exceed what
was originally forecast," he said.

"That elevation in temperature and particularly wind has really been problematic for
firefighters.

"We have had indications of a house lost at Londonderry - we are still waiting to confirm that.

"Further south in the state we have a very serious fire burning north of Albury affecting
places around Gerogery and we've got reports of houses burning in that area as well.

"So very difficult conditions in a number of areas and we've got fires - additional
ones - turning up in western Sydney as we speak with firefighters responding to those
as well."

AAP hn/de

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES NSW SOUTH

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