Bushfire hit South Coast community of Bawley Point on Thursday afternoon, with firefighters rushing to save homes under threat.
The south coast bushfire was upgraded to an emergency level on Thursday afternoon with the fire spreading further north towards Lake Tabourie.
Flames erupted in bushland surrounding Bawley Point and the sky turned black as it was choked with smoke.
Bawley Point resident Alan Swanson waited at his newly-built property on the town's northern edge as fire approached with a strong north westerly wind.
Backyard of home pic.twitter.com/fkq6fGUMmT
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His daughters had evacuated on Monday to Ulladulla and he stayed behind to defend the home.
His plan was to drive to the beach if the fire got too close to his home.
"I'll stay while I still have access to Bawley Point," he said.
"If it becomes panicky there's lots and lots of fire crew here and there's a house I can stay at.
"And of course, I can swim."
Mr Swanson said the anxiety made him focused.
"I feel reasonably safe. I'm concerned that it's the only house I own and I did make it myself."
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Resident Brett Croan evacuated his home, leaving on his motorcycle, as the fire moved towards the back of his Shearwater Crescent property in Bawley Point.
Firefighters moved hoses behind houses as they prepared to defend them.
"I don't need to be here, the boys will take care of the place. See how we go," Mr Croan said.
He had lived at Bawley Point for 18 years and had never seen fire get so close.
"It gets pretty frightening and serious now, and I got to get going."
Firefighters were assisted from above as helicopters waterbombed the area.
