This evening, the previous warning was softened to a cautionary advisory, allowing residents to cautiously return home. However, not before the fire posed significant threats to both lives and properties, with at least six homes enduring minor damage.

The rapidly advancing and fierce blaze approached perilously close to homes as it ignited earlier in the day.

A dense column of black smoke was visible, rising dramatically above the rooftops and seen from the air.

Roadways were jammed with traffic as residents, eager to flee, hurriedly loaded their vehicles.

The Tonkin Highway experienced a temporary closure but was reopened by the evening.

Firefighting units, both on the ground and in the air, managed to extinguish the majority of the fire within an hour.

The speed of the fire, which came dangerously close to homes, left residents frightened.

“It’s crazy. It’s literally, absolutely crazy, because it shows you how fast anything of a fire can go,” Troy Harding said.

Fire authorities said the blaze burned three hectares and caused damage to six to eight properties, including destroying fences and a backyard gazebo.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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