Emergency services rushed to a reserve off Birch Crescent, adjacent to the Bellambi lagoon, about 5pm on Friday following reports of bush alight.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews from Balgownie, Bulli, Corrimal and Thirroul managed to bring the fire under control within about 20 minutes.

“There were some homes in danger at first but the wind was making it a lot worse,” Corrimal Fire Station deputy captain Graham Yates said. 

“The quick response of Corrimal, Balgownie and Bulli [crews] and the tanker from Thirroul [meant] we knocked it out pretty quick.”

Westerly winds gusting up to 52km/h were experienced at the nearby Bellambi Point weather station at 5.30pm.

The windy conditions were behind the mass FRNSW response. 

“Because of the dry weather and also the westerly winds, we didn’t want the fire spreading into the nearby reserve, the sand hills and also endangering some of the homes further to the east,” Mr Yates said. 

“The local residents were a bit worried at first … but we knocked it down pretty quick.”

Firefighters tacked the eastern end of the fire first, given it was heading in that direction. 

Mr Yates said the fire burned to the edge of a bike track that runs behind homes and estimated flames came within 20 metres of property. 

The cause is unknown at this stage.

5.30pm: Firefighters are battling strong winds as they tackle a bushfire in Bellambi on Friday afternoon.

Emergency services rushed to a reserve off Birch Crescent about 5pm following reports of bush alight.

Westerly winds gusting up to 52km/h are being experienced at the nearby Bellambi Point weather station, as of 5.30pm.

However, it is understood the wind is pushing the fire away from houses and fire crews currently have the situation under control. 

Fire and Rescue NSW crews from Balgownie, Bulli, Corrimal and Thirroul are working to bring the fire under control.