A planned hazard reduction burn in Sydney’s southwest turned dangerous on Saturday afternoon, damaging multiple RFS trucks and leaving 19 people assessed after the fire broke containment at Wedderburn.
The blaze erupted on Katanna Rd in Wedderburn, in the Campbelltown area, when winds strengthened about 4pm and pushed the burn out of control.
One RFS truck was destroyed and two others were seriously damaged after flames overran the vehicles.
Paramedics assessed 19 people at the scene, with one person treated for smoke inhalation. None of those checked required transport to hospital.
The fire came close to a number of nearby properties, but crews managed to contain it before it posed a direct threat to homes.
The Rural Fire Service Commissioner was heading to the scene as firefighters remained in the area to monitor conditions and watch for any flare-ups.
The incident comes as authorities increase hazard reduction activity ahead of summer.
Investigations are now under way into how the planned burn escaped containment lines and grew out of control.
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