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House destroyed as firefighters battle blazes in western Sydney House destroyed as firefighters battle bushfires in western Sydney
(35 minutes later)
A house in Sydney's Blue Mountains has been lost as firefighters battle 40 uncontained blazes that have caused mass evacuations.A house in Sydney's Blue Mountains has been lost as firefighters battle 40 uncontained blazes that have caused mass evacuations.
New South Wales premier Barry O'Farrell said a house had been lost on Hawkesbury Road in Winmalee and there were unconfirmed reports of two firefighters injured battling the blaze there.New South Wales premier Barry O'Farrell said a house had been lost on Hawkesbury Road in Winmalee and there were unconfirmed reports of two firefighters injured battling the blaze there.
"[There is] one confirmed report of a house lost in Hawkesbury Road, unconfirmed reports of two injured firefighters at the same location," he told NSW's parliament on Tuesday."[There is] one confirmed report of a house lost in Hawkesbury Road, unconfirmed reports of two injured firefighters at the same location," he told NSW's parliament on Tuesday.
"This is an ongoing situation.""This is an ongoing situation."
Some 59 bush and grassfires are burning across New South Wales, causing the evacuation of homes and a western Sydney university campus.Some 59 bush and grassfires are burning across New South Wales, causing the evacuation of homes and a western Sydney university campus.
O'Farrell told NSW's parliament more than 500 firefighters and 200 appliances were responding and a number of emergency warnings were in place across the state, with four fires at a "watch and act" level.O'Farrell told NSW's parliament more than 500 firefighters and 200 appliances were responding and a number of emergency warnings were in place across the state, with four fires at a "watch and act" level.
"Strong, gusty northwesterly winds continue to affect the firegrounds which are not expected to abate until later this evening," O'Farrell said. "A southerly change is expected to come through Greater Sydney Basin between 5 and 7pm.""Strong, gusty northwesterly winds continue to affect the firegrounds which are not expected to abate until later this evening," O'Farrell said. "A southerly change is expected to come through Greater Sydney Basin between 5 and 7pm."
He says there are a number of emergency warnings in place across the state, with four fires at watch and act level. He said there were a number of emergency warnings in place across the state, with four fires at watch and act level.
The worst blazes are at Tickner Road in Castlereagh, where a 60-hectare grass fire is threatening homes, and a three-hectare fire at Bennett and Richmond Roads in Windsor.The worst blazes are at Tickner Road in Castlereagh, where a 60-hectare grass fire is threatening homes, and a three-hectare fire at Bennett and Richmond Roads in Windsor.
There are also fires at Marsden Park, Winmalee, Wollombi, Lane Cove and Leets Vale.There are also fires at Marsden Park, Winmalee, Wollombi, Lane Cove and Leets Vale.
Earlier, about 2,500 people were evacuated from a University of Western Sydney campus after a power outage.Earlier, about 2,500 people were evacuated from a University of Western Sydney campus after a power outage.
UWS says the power outage has affected the entire Richmond region, with bushfires preventing repairs.UWS says the power outage has affected the entire Richmond region, with bushfires preventing repairs.
"The University of Western Sydney's Hawkesbury campus in Richmond has been closed this afternoon due to a power outage in the region," it said."The University of Western Sydney's Hawkesbury campus in Richmond has been closed this afternoon due to a power outage in the region," it said.
"As a precaution students and staff have been sent home.""As a precaution students and staff have been sent home."
In Castlereagh around 300 students from St Paul's grammar school have been evacuated to Penrith's white water park after an emergency warning was issued for a fire threatening properties on nearby Devlin Street.In Castlereagh around 300 students from St Paul's grammar school have been evacuated to Penrith's white water park after an emergency warning was issued for a fire threatening properties on nearby Devlin Street.
The school's principal Paul Kidson says he and a small number of fire-trained staff remain at the school.The school's principal Paul Kidson says he and a small number of fire-trained staff remain at the school.
"Human lives were always more important than property," he told ABC radio."Human lives were always more important than property," he told ABC radio.
Police helped with the evacuation.Police helped with the evacuation.
However, the RFS is advising parents not to try to pick their children from the centre as fires are still burning in the area.However, the RFS is advising parents not to try to pick their children from the centre as fires are still burning in the area.
In Windsor the fire burning at Bennett Rd, has crossed Richmond Rd and entered Windsor Downs Nature Reserve, the RFS says.In Windsor the fire burning at Bennett Rd, has crossed Richmond Rd and entered Windsor Downs Nature Reserve, the RFS says.
There have been unconfirmed reports of property losses along Hawkesbury Road in Winmalee, in the Blue Mountains.There have been unconfirmed reports of property losses along Hawkesbury Road in Winmalee, in the Blue Mountains.
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