Hundreds of children have been evacuated from a Sydney primary after a fast-moving grass fire headed their way.
According to the National Fire Service, a wild fire broke out at Orchard Hills, about a kilometer from Orchard Hills Public School in Sydney’s west, at 1.45pm and raged west towards the primary school.
About 200 students from the school were picked up by their parents or taken to nearby Kingswood High School.
The fire is burning between the areas of M4 and Castle Road, west towards Kingswood Road and the Northern Road in South Penrith.
Hundreds of children have been evacuated from Orchard Hills Public School (pictured) in Sydney’s west after a fast-moving grass fire headed their way
A spokesperson for the national fire brigade said 60 firefighters with 15 trucks were fighting the blaze.
A spokesperson for the national fire brigade said 60 firefighters with 15 trucks were fighting the blaze.
“Firefighters, assisted by aircraft, have gained the upper hand and the fire has now been reduced to ‘Advisory’ level,” the spokesperson said around 3:30 PM on Tuesday.
‘All lanes of the M4 are now open. Residents should continue to monitor conditions.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: ‘Emergency services have evacuated Orchard Hills Public School due to a fast-moving grass fire in the area.
‘On the advice of the emergency services, the school contacted parents and carers shortly after the fire broke out to collect their children.
“Some remaining students and all staff were later evacuated to Kingswood High School. They are all safe and taken into account. There is no damage to the school.’