fire

Three people have been saved from a fire that has destroyed a home at Aberdare.

There's been mixed reactions among Girvan residents today, after a major fire tore though bushland Southeast of Stroud overnight. 

Although there is rain forecast for the rest of the day, the Bush Fire Danger Period officially begins for the Lower Hunter on Friday.

The federal government has announced it will be funding the $4 million lease of a large airtanker to boost aerial firefighting muscle, with a capacity to drop more than 15,000 litres of retardant or water. 

The Lower Hunter Rural Fire Service is reminding residents in these areas to keep windows and doors closed, remove washing from clothes lines and ensure pets are in a protected area.

e community has rallied around their much-loved neighbour, starting a Go Fund Me page which has so far raised almost $37,000.

Crews were called to Melbourne Street at 5.15am on Friday where a large shed at the rear of a home is well alight.

Lower Hunter residents are being urged to hold off on hanging the washing out this weekend as the NSW Rural Fire Service conducts a number of hazard reduction burns.

midnight on Thursday to find the rear of the home well alight.

RFS and Fire and Rescue crews were called to the 4 bedroom home off Idaville Road at 3.30am to find smoke issuing from the rear of the house.