NYE Blaze Sends Revellers Fleeing from Central Coast Park
A sudden grass fire on New Year’s Eve forced thousands to evacuate a busy park during celebrations and a local football match
Gosford, Australia, New Year’s Eve, Grass Fire, Football, Emergency
Gosford: On New Year’s Eve, a grass fire broke out in a busy park, sending thousands of people running for safety. It all happened around 9:30 PM, right when everyone was enjoying the festivities.
There were crowds from the A-League match between Melbourne FC and the Central Coast Mariners, plus families celebrating the new year. Suddenly, chaos erupted as the fire spread quickly.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang just before the flames ignited. One person mentioned that the playground was packed with kids just moments before it caught fire.
Police, who were already on alert for the celebrations, jumped into action to clear the area. Families were seen fleeing as the fire consumed the playground.
While the cause of the fire is still a mystery, authorities are investigating. Football commentator Simon Hill shared his experience on social media, suggesting a stray firework might have sparked the blaze.
He noted that the fire was put out quickly, and everyone managed to evacuate within about 25 minutes. A big shoutout to the firefighters for their swift response!