64 homes confirmed destroyed as northern NSW bushfires continue to burn
A bushfire that tore through parts of northern New South Wales, killing an elderly couple, has destroyed more than 60 homes.
The NSW Rural Fire Service said it had completed most of the inspections in fire-affected areas following last week's blaze south of Casino and confirmed 64 homes were lost.
It said 44 homes were destroyed by the Busbys Flat blaze and 19 in the Drake fire which claimed the lives of Bob Lindsay, 77, and his wife Gwen Hyde, 68.
Coongbar resident Gwen Hyde and her husband Bob Lindsey both died in the fire. Nine
Husband Robert Lindsey. Northern Star
Another home was lost at the Purgatory Creek fire at Jackadgery, west of Grafton. More than 150 outbuildings also destroyed in the bushfires.
The Busbys Flat and Drake fires are still burning and are at advice level a week after the blazes.
Firefighters battle bushfires in Busbys Flat, northern NSW, Wednesday, October 9, 2019. (AAP Image/Jason O'Brien) NO ARCHIVING AAP
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said there had been more than 5000 bush and grass fires across NSW this bushfire season, with a million hectares of land burnt out.
"It's important to remember that this is no ordinary bushfire season and we can't afford to have anyone think this is just another year," he said in a statement.
"The crippling effects of the drought, unseasonably warm weather and strong winds have seen fires develop quickly and impacted on lives, farms, businesses, homes and communities."
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