A bushfire is threatening homes near Newcastle, with nearby residents being told to leave the area immediately.
The M1 Highway is closed in both directions as a bushfire burns on either side of O’Donnelltown Road, off the Pacific Highway at Cameron Park, at emergency levels.
The fire comes after the highway was also closed about 4pm after a truck explosion sparked a grassfire.
Residents in West Wallsend have been told to leave immediately as the bushfire rapidly burns in an easterly direction, threatening homes on Boundary Road.
The fire is spreading quickly in a northerly direction towards Cemetery Road, as well as in a southerly direction towards Fairley Road.
The grassfire caused after a truck burst into flames at Wallsend was extinguished just as the Cameron Park fire was upgraded to emergency level.
Further west, a fire in Cessnock has burned through 167 hectares of land as it approaches homes on Cessnock Road, Charles Street, York Street, Ridley Street, William Street and Hebburn Road, in Abermain.
Residents in Pelaw Main, South Weston have been told to seek shelter now as it’s too late to leave.
The Kurri Kurri hospital is also at risk, however, patients have not been evacuated yet.
The Rural Fire Service has also said that embers could threaten homes in the area.
There are currently 74 bushfires burning across the state, with two at the emergency level.
