MAJESTIC WIN
By LILLIAN SALEH, BRAD CLIFTON and MATT SUN
09 December 2002

IT SEEMED for a few hours yesterday the six-day battle might be over. But just as the heat of a fire-ravaged state was beginning to cool, a massive blaze in the Blue Mountains re-ignited, threatening the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel at Medlow Bath.

It was about 3.30pm as the flames sped through the treetops up from the Megalong Valley floor towards the iconic hotel, and it looked as if history would repeat - the grand structure had been razed by fire then rebuilt in 1922.

Instead, it became the site of one of the greatest victories enjoyed by our tireless firefighters. Stunned guests watched from the hotel dining hall as the fire, fanned by strong winds, swept up to reach the rear wall of the building.

Flames engulfed a fibro cottage adjoining the hotel as fire crews battled to keep the blaze from the main property.

Guests who had been evacuated to the dining room gazed in disbelief as the state's now well-practised firefighting resources were brought to bear. Helitankers and other aircraft dumped tonnes of water on the towering flames.

Firefighters also worked to protect a petrol station adjacent to the property amid concerns it would explode. Ellington, a nearby historical home, was destroyed along with historical boarding quarters at the hotel site.

The Great Western Highway was closed between Katoomba and Blackheath as plumes of thick, black smoke engulfed the road.

The railway line was also cut as several large spot fires broke out on the western side of the highway, with embers and ash showering the area.

The blaze was the only bushfire to threaten lives and property in NSW yesterday, as favourable conditions throughout Sydney and beyond brought relief to several areas which have been hotspots in recent days.

Most of the fires remained within containment lines but, while residents of Berowra, Menai and Glenorie were afforded some respite, those in the tiny hamlet of Medlow Bath faced a serious threat.

Firefighters were forced to drop their hoses and run for their lives as a wall of flame leapt over them on a ridge behind the Hydro Majestic.

Visibility was reduced to just 10m as crews climbed on to the hotel's roof armed with fire extinguishers to put out spot fires.

Hotel management said guests remained calm, drinking tea and coffee, as firefighters hosed down the front of the building.

One guest told The Daily Telegraph he was surprised by the speed at which the flames approached the hotel.

"We were standing on the deck at midday watching the fire burning across the valley," he said. "When we came back to the hotel at 3.15pm the fire was right on our back door."

By 5pm, the threat to the hotel was under control, but a thick blanket of smoke remained over the area as firefighters worked to put out remaining spot fires.

Last night, Rural Fire Service Commissioner Phil Koperberg gave hope to thousands of residents by announcing the current fire crisis was almost over.

"This particular series of fires is approaching an end. Within 36 hours it will be over, I suspect," Mr Koperberg said.

Changing weather conditions and confident predictions of rain across Sydney tomorrow were expected to provide relief.

"The bureau is very, very confident of some shower activity across all of the fire grounds around Sydney," Mr Koperberg said.

"That's the best news we've had for weeks.

"While there will be occasional flare-ups, we've seen the worst of this current series of fires."

However, his prediction was made on the basis that the weather forecasts were correct.

"If we get up tomorrow morning and it's warm and windy and everything else then all bets are off," Mr Koperberg said.