NSW: Western Sydney fire suspicious

AAP General News (Australia)
12-25-2003
NSW: Western Sydney fire suspicious

SYDNEY, Dec 25 AAP - A fire which threatened several properties in western Sydney today
was being treated as suspicious, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) said.

The fire broke out on a property at Castlereagh, near Penrith, at about 1.30pm (AEDT)
before spreading into nearby scrubland.

Nine properties in the Tickner St area were threatened by the fire, which burnt out
60ha of scrub.

Sixteen tankers from the RFS and four units from the NSW Fire Brigade brought the fire
under control by 6pm (AEDT).

A skycrane and helicopter were also called in to water bomb.

The RFS said police and fire investigation teams were at the scene.

There were no injuries reported and no loss of property.

The RFS has declared a total fire ban for the NSW North West Plains, Central West
Slopes and Central West Plains areas from midnight tonight to 23.59 (AEDT) tomorrow.

RFS Commissioner Phil Koperberg urged people to observe fire bans once they were issued.

In areas where no bans were in place, people should think carefully before lighting
camp fires, burning off, using solid fuel barbecues, or throwing cigarettes away, Mr Koperberg
said.

AAP kd/jv/br

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES NSW

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