Bid to save Sydney's homes

Water from swimming pools was being used today in desperate efforts to save hundreds of homes as flames licked backyard fences in Sydney's suburbs.

In the past 24 hours, the firestorm predicted for last weekend suddenly moved into northern suburbs just 10 miles from the city's central business district and the harbour. With winds gusting up to 40 miles an hour, fire chiefs said they were in for their worst day yet in fighting the bushfires threatening Australia's largest city.

There was no let-up on day 10 of the fires which broke out on Christmas Eve, with fire crews preparing for strengthening hot winds, gusting in constantly changing directions, fanning fires so rapidly that containment measures were almost useless. Fires jumped roads and specially bulldozed firebreaks. Many firemen said they had never seen anything like it.

As temperatures reached the high 30s again, hundreds of homes close to the city were evacuated overnight when flames reached back gardens in in the up-market northern suburbs. Urgent back-burning of the Lane Cove River National Park was carried out in the hope of stopping the fires crossing the park into other suburbs.

Fire crews worked through the night to save people's houses, however, a rapidly moving firefront claimed several homes near Sussex Inlet, south of Sydney, today - the first homes lost for a week. New South Wales Rural Fire Brigade spokesman John Winter said some 11,000 homes have been saved.

Rural fire chief commissioner Phil Koperberg conceded the fires were "turning nasty". He added: "Today will be extremely trying for communities and firefighters alike. We are battling to contain fires right across eastern New South Wales. Against the strong westerly winds and hot, dry conditions, all of our containment strategies are going to be severely tested."

There has been no loss of human life and only a handful of injuries. Two- year- old toddler William Blomfield was air-lifted to hospital after being bitten by a venomous brown snake which was fleeing the flames. He recovered after treatment.

Prime Minister John Howard, who toured some of the stricken areas today, announced plans to give New South Wales an Erickson Air-Crane, like one currently leased from Canada. The giant helicopter is being used to dump 9,000 litres of water at a time on the fires.

Hot, dry and windy weather is predicted until the weekend and no rain is forecast.

Twenty people have been arrested accused of arson, as investigations continue into the causes of some of the biggest blazes. Police estimate close to half of all the 100-plus fires burning in the state were deliberately lit.

Meanwhile, Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh said his team would be happy to play a benefit match for bushfire relief. Before his team took on South Africa in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground today with the smell of smoke in the air, Waugh said: "We're willing to help in any way we can. Anything that's required, the Australian team will support it."

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