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The Gerogery fire continues to present problems along Coach Rd (old Gerogery East Rd) and in the Benambra Range. The fire has burnt in excess of 7000ha starting at the Walla tip and burning south easterly, impacting heavily on the township of Gerogery and the rural lifestyle blocks along the Walla Gerogery Rd. Four homes have been lost within the Gerogery township. Many sheds, haystacks and livestock have been lost within the area.
Unfortunately, one fire fighter has been injured in the fire.
The change is moving through the area and presenting additional problems in the Gerogery east area where fire has broken containment lines and impacted on homes. The fire to the north has now been contained 8km north of Gerogery, east of the railway line.
Support crews are arriving from the Riverina area (Wagga) and Corowa and Berrigan.
Two aircraft have been working with fire crews on containing the fire and additional aircraft will again be on scene tomorrow.
Crews are endeavouring to strengthen containment lines over night.
A HELLISH SCENE
On the scene,
"The wind was howling and the heat incredible, huge branches were crashing to the ground," he said.
"Just moments before we had been in the heart of Gerogery as police and firefighters were pushing people to evacuate.
"It couldn’t have been more than a few minutes later than the first wave of fire came out of the grassland headed straight for the town.
"Anyone caught in its path would have had little or no hope survival — I really thought people would be dead."
People are being treated for burns with one man reported to have burns to 36 per cent of his body.
Police are currently evacuating residents in the Gerogery west area. Residents are being relocated to the BP service station at Lavington.
FULL REPORTS AND PHOTOS: Don't miss our special coverage in tomorrow's Border Mail.
Earlier in the day, the NSW Rural Fire service warned, given the conditions, the fire is "uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast moving".
There is a potential threat to properties in the towns of Woomargama, Mullengandra, Mountain Creek and the northern end of Tabletop, should the predicted southerly wind change occur during the afternoon or early evening.
Marg Wehner, of the NSW Rural Fire Service, said the losses had been reported from the blaze which remains out of control.
The Olympic Highway, between Hume Highway and Culcairn has been closed to traffic.
