LIGHTENING STRIKES SPARK FIRES ACROSS THE NORTH WEST

The Rural Fire Service says lightening strikes overnight have sparked several blazes across the region.

South of Tamworth, a number of fires are burning near Murrurundi – the largest on Paradise Lane, which has so far burnt out 50 hectares of bushland.

Extra resources – including the RFS helicopter – have been brought in to help extinguish the blaze due to its isolated location.

A total fire ban is also in place in the New England region until midnight tonight, due to the hot and windy conditions.

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