NSW: Volunteer fire fighter injured in bushfire

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2000
NSW: Volunteer fire fighter injured in bushfire

By Linda Silmalis

SYDNEY, Dec 22 AAP - A volunteer firefighter was injured after he became trapped with
three others in a bushfire burning out of control near Newcastle.

The blaze, which broke out near the village of Pelaw Main at about 3pm, destroyed the
firefighters' truck.

The two men and two women, from Maitland, had been driving through bushland on their
way to fight the fire when it swept up, enveloping their vehicle.

They were taken to Kurri Kurri hospital but were later released.

One of the male firefighters was treated for burns to his hand and thumb.

NSW Rural Fire Services spokesman John Winter said the fire-fighters were saved by
protective clothing they put on after becoming trapped.

"They are lucky to be alive," he said.

"They were wearing some protective gear but as soon as the fire came, they put on extra
clothing and went through entrapment procedures which saved them.

"Their truck was destroyed but they are safe."

More than 120 local volunteers and NSW Fire Brigade firefighters in 25 units were fighting
the blaze, which had burnt almost 300 hectares of grass and scrub, he said.

Mr Winter said a forecast of cooler weather in coming days had averted the need to
declare a state of emergency.

He said the crews would undertake backburning operations overnight in a bid to halt
the fire front.

Mr Winter said the fire was burning less than 20 kilometres from a village called Pelaw
Main but had not placed any properties under threat.

"It's within sight of the village, which has a few houses, but it's burning in the
other direction," he said.

"There would be some crews watching the fire to ensure it does not turn around."

AAP ls/mjm

KEYWORD: FIRE

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