The fire started in scrub land at the intersection of the Newell Highway, Tongs St and Plumptons Rd about 7.40pm last Tuesday.Within 10 minutes the blaze was ripping through neighbouring trees near the Finley Showgrounds & Sporting Complex and flames were towering at least 10m into the air at its apex.The fire threatened to jump the highway forcing authorities to close the road and divert traffic heading toward Tocumwal until the blaze was extinguished.
Spectators could still feel the blistering heat of the fire from a safe distance, and clouds of orange smoke descended over Finley.
Finley NSW Fire and Rescue was first on scene and called for assistance from the Berrigan and Jerilderie brigades, as well as from the Rural Fire Service, Country Energy, NSW Ambulance and NSW Police.
At its peak, 10 fire tankers were working to control the blaze which was declared under control by 8.20pm.
The blaze, which is being described as a grassfire, burned about 3.6ha.
Phillip Thompson, who was acting captain of the FInley NSW Fire & Rescue brigade on the night, said he noticed the blaze before he was officially called to action.
‘‘I was sitting on my porch at home and just when I saw the smoke, my phone rang and we were into action,’’ he said.
‘‘Our main aim initially was focusing on containment on the western side, to not let it get out to the road.
‘‘We also had to watch carefully for any potential embers that could travel over to spark a surrounding fire.’’
Brigade Deputy Captain Bernie Thomson was placed in command for the incident, leading the combined brigades in the firefighting effort.
‘‘You have to be cool calm and collected when going into a fire like that,’’ the deputy said.
‘‘We quickly assessed where the fire was going and what assets we needed to combat this.
‘‘I was communicating our requirements to headquarters in Newcastle who then put out the alert for surrounding stations, RFS and other emergency personnel to respond.’’
