RFS confirmed an out-of-control bushfire razed 69 homes and businesses in Tathra, near Bega, on Sunday.

The fire burned through seven kilometres of bushland into the township and right to the coast. 

Broughton Vale, Callala Beach, Crossroads, Kangaroo Valley, Milton and Lake Tabourie rural fire brigades began their first shift on Tuesday at Tathra.

RFS Shoalhaven Duty Manager Craig Harrison says five specialised personnel also joined the 20 volunteers.

The specialists include a fire investigator, communications and an area commander.

“As far as I know, they will assist with backburning and restoring the normality [to Tathra],” he said.

The volunteers will be deployed for five days, Harrison said.

Nowra Fire Station station command John Dun said Fire and Rescue NSW’s Berry and Nowra pumping tankers were deployed as well as a four-wheel drive catch tanker.

The crews received a call before 4pm to attend and went straight to work when they arrived in Tathra, protecting property and assisting local crews through to about 9am the next morning, Dun said.

A firefighter of 36 years, Dun described it as one of the most destructive fires he had seen in regards to decimation of a small community.

“It takes an extremely aggressive event for that to happen,” he said.

“The only remnants of undergrowth is a fine dust on the ground, a light white, grey ash.”

Dun recalled the Shoalhaven crews defending seven to eight houses in a cul-de-sac at one point and also seeing some residents who had made the hard decision to stay and defend their homes.

The tireless efforts continued and before they knew it, “it was daylight”, he said. 

Dun was supportive of local ministers and community already offering to support residents displaced.

The station commander was unsure of the reasons, but he said there was little to no mobile phone coverage at the scene.

Fire and Rescue NSW Nowra 405 reported that crews returned from Tathra after a “long day and night assisting local crews battle this terrible outbreak”.

“Please spare a thought for its residents and the ones that have lost everything.”

Fire and Rescue NSW Berry 224 said rescue crews from the Shoalhaven had returned safely and praised the Tathra RFS for its hospitality. 

Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis commended the Shoalhaven RFS volunteers who have travelled to support their colleagues.

Mrs Sudmalis says the weekend’s fire events are a reminder to have an emergency evacuation in place.