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Emergency warning as fire closes M1 west of Newcastle Emergency warning as fire closes M1 west of Newcastle
(35 minutes later)
An emergency warning has been issued for a fire west of Newcastle that has closed the M1, the main road route between Sydney and Brisbane. An emergency warning has been issued for a fire west of Newcastle that has closed the M1, the main road between Sydney and Brisbane.
The NSW Rural Fire Service says the fire is burning in the area of Stockrington Road, west of the M1, and is heading towards Minmi.The NSW Rural Fire Service says the fire is burning in the area of Stockrington Road, west of the M1, and is heading towards Minmi.
Emergency alert telephone messages are being sent to residents in the area, who are advised to seek shelter. Emergency alert telephone messages were being sent to residents in the area, who were advised to seek shelter.
Earlier, Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told reporters in Sydney it would be difficult to contain the blaze on such a hot and windy day.Earlier, Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told reporters in Sydney it would be difficult to contain the blaze on such a hot and windy day.
"If they are not successful – and if they are it would be extraordinary given the weather conditions – we are likely to see warnings develop in the very near future," he said."If they are not successful – and if they are it would be extraordinary given the weather conditions – we are likely to see warnings develop in the very near future," he said.
Children were evacuated from Minmi public school to the local community centre, the RFS said. The school's Facebook page said all the children had been accounted for.Children were evacuated from Minmi public school to the local community centre, the RFS said. The school's Facebook page said all the children had been accounted for.
The RFS said the M1 had been closed at Minmi. Diversions are in place off the Newcastle link road. The RFS said the M1 had been closed at Minmi. Diversions were in place off the Newcastle link road.
Ausgrid said about 450 homes in the Hunter region had lost power as a result of bushfires in the area.Ausgrid said about 450 homes in the Hunter region had lost power as a result of bushfires in the area.
A fire at Rusty Lane had cut power to 380 homes and businesses in Branxton while about 60 properties around Lenaghans Drive were without power as a result of the Stockrington Road fire.A fire at Rusty Lane had cut power to 380 homes and businesses in Branxton while about 60 properties around Lenaghans Drive were without power as a result of the Stockrington Road fire.
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