Residents of a suburb on the New South Wales South Coast have been advised that it is now too late to evacuate as a rapidly advancing bushfire nears their community.

The blaze is dangerously close, just a few hundred meters from several homes, including the Coastal Waters Retirement Village in Worrowing Heights. According to 9News, the retirement village’s 500 residents are currently sheltering in place.

At approximately 4:20 p.m. today, an emergency warning was issued for Sanctuary Point in Worrowing Heights, located in the Shoalhaven region, as the area experiences windy and hot conditions.

The warning clearly states: “If you are in the Worrowing Heights area, you are in danger. It is now too late to leave.”

Residents are advised to “seek shelter now inside a solid structure such as a house.”

Firefighters, supported by water bombing aircraft, are battling the fire, which has intensified over the last two hours due to strong and erratic winds.

Swampy, dense bushland is making it challenging for crews but they are doing everything they can to protect lives and homes.

Those in the nearby areas of Sanctuary Point, Old Erowal Bay and Erowal Bay are told to prepare now.

Firefighters are currently working to slow the spread of the fire, but the wind threatens to blow embers long distances.

Temperatures hit 27 degrees in the area on Sunday afternoon, with winds up to 13km an hour.