Hundreds of children have been evacuated from a Sydney primary after a fast-moving grass fire was heading in their direction.
A wild fire at Orchard Hills, around one kilometre away from Orchard Hills Public School in western Sydney, broke out at 1.45pm and was burning in a westerly direction towards the primary, according to the rural fire service.
Around 200 pupils at the school were either picked up by their parents of taken to nearby Kingswood High School.
The fire is burning between the M4 and Castle Road areas, in a westerly direction towards Kingswood Road and the Northern Road in South Penrith.
Hundreds of children have been evacuated from Orchard Hills Public School (pictured) in western Sydney after a fast-moving grass fire was headed in their direction
A spokesperson for the Rural Fire Service said 60 firefighters with 15 trucks were tackling the blaze
A spokesperson for the Rural Fire Service said 60 firefighters with 15 trucks were tackling the blaze.
‘Firefighters, assisted by aircraft, have gained the upper hand, the fire has now been downgraded to an ‘Advice’ level,’ the spokesperson said around 3.30pm on Tuesday.
‘All lanes of the M4 are now open. Residents should continue to monitor conditions.’
A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: ‘Emergency services have evacuated Orchard Hills Public School due to a fast-moving grass fire burning nearby.
‘On advice from emergency services, the school contacted parents and carers to pick up their children soon after the fire started.
‘Some remaining students and all staff were later evacuated to Kingswood High School. All are safe and accounted for. There has been no damage to the school.’