Homes damaged as bushfires tear through NSW Central Coast suburb of Koolewong

At least ten waterfront homes have been destroyed as bushfires tear through parts of New South Wales.

As a heatwave hit the state on Saturday, a blaze broke out about an hour north of Sydney on the Central Coast and residents were told to leave their homes immediately.

A dozen homes have been damaged or destroyed.

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“It’s dreadful. It’s absolutely dreadful,” witness Alan Muir said.

“We heard explosions and we saw it go from one spot to another spot within minutes.”

The emergency warning was in place for the Nimbin Rd in Koolewong area with the fire burning in a southerly direction.

Multiple houses have been damaged or destroyed. Credit: 7NEWS

Anyone in the area of Nimbin Rd, Glenrock Pde, Lara St and Nimala Ave were told they were at risk and must leave.

“Do not wait. Roads may become blocked or access may change, smoke may reduce visibility,” the NSW Rural Fire service said.

“Act now to protect yourself and your family. Conditions may get worse quickly. Leaving at the last minute is deadly.

“Embers will be blown long distances ahead of the main fire front starting spot fires, these may impact your home earlier than the main fire front.”

Those who cannot leave need to seek shelter in a solid structure, bring pets indoors, close all doors and windows and keep the water running if possible.

There is an evacuation centre at Gosford RSL Club.

Hot, dry and windy weather created high fire dangers across central and eastern NSW on Saturday, reaching extreme in Sydney, the Hunter and the Illawarra. Rural fire service (RFS) issued total fire bans for many areas.

“Extreme fire danger means that any fires that start today will be very hard to control, and the RFS advises people in areas of extreme fire danger to action their Bush fire survival plan,”Senior meteorologist Christie Johnson said.