Carwoola fire: Firefighters contain blaze but 11 homes destroyed
Updated
Firefighters have released the final damage toll for a grassfire east of Queanbeyan, which destroyed several homes and dozens of other buildings.
After two days of intense firefighting, crews finally managed to contain the blaze on Saturday.
The fire destroyed 11 homes, damaged 12 others, and destroyed 45 outbuildings.
The blaze began on Friday and fanned by high winds and hot temperatures, burned through 3,500 hectares.
NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) spokesman James Morris said despite the extensive losses, the damage could have been far worse.
"Firefighters did manage to save 56 homes," he said.
Two firefighters were also injured in the blaze, one suffering from burns, while the other sustained a crush injury while vehicles were being moved.
One senior firefighter lost his own home while defending others.
Appeal launched for fire victims
Fire crews will continue to mop up and monitor the blaze today.
Rain and cooler weather on Saturday helped firefighters get the upper hand and bring it under control.
But with temperatures to rise in the coming days, the work is not over yet.
"We'll still continue to monitor and patrol the fire for the coming days due to that warmer weather," Mr Morris said.
A police investigation in tandem with the RFS was launched on Saturday to help determine the cause.
"I believe that they have concluded their investigation and we'll just await the details of that over coming days," Mr Morris said.
The administrator of the Queanbeyan Palerang Council, Tim Overall, said an appeal had been launched to help those who lost property and livestock.
"There's a lot of community concern, with the devastation that so many have suffered," he said.
The fundraising effort was launched at last night's NRL trial match in Queanbeyan.
Topics: bushfire, fires, disasters-and-accidents, captains-flat-2623, act, queanbeyan-2620, nsw, australia
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