Firefighters responding to storm-related emergencies across Sydney
Published: 23rd August 2012
Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters have been responding to hundreds of calls this afternoon as wild winds and storm activity hits Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra.
Since 1pm, firefighters have responded to 223 calls, with firefighters simultaneously attending 100 incidents as at 3.30pm this afternoon. Strong winds have brought trees and wires down across the city, resulting in a number of road closures, and are fanning a number of grass fires.
FRNSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said FRNSW firefighters remain on high alert to assist the NSW State Emergency Service, with winds continuing to whip across the city and other parts of NSW including the Hunter, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Mid North Coast, Northern Tablelands, Riverina and Lower Western districts.
“Firefighters rescued a woman from a car in Glenorie, after she was trapped by a fallen tree. She was transported to hospital by Westpac Helicopter.
“FRNSW has also attended a number of grass fires across the metropolitan areas and extinguished a series of spot fires in Primrose Park at Cremorne.”
Some of the incidents attended by FRNSW were:
- High voltage power lines down in Edmund Street, Blacktown
- Tree on a house in Kenthurst Road, Kenthurst
- Tree down on power lines in Sun valley, in the Blue Mountains
- Large fire on a median strip on Old Windsor Road at Kellyville
During this period, fire crews also responded to truck fires in the city and Manly, and a diesel spill on the M5 East at Kingsgrove.
“FRNSW will continue to support to the SES and other emergency services throughout this afternoon and this evening until the wild weather passes,” Commissioner Mullins said.
People requiring assistance for non-life threatening situations should contact the SES on 132 500 but in all cases of emergency ring Triple Zero.