Residents flee fire in Queensland

Fire officer Trevor Kidd gives directions to crews behind residents' homes in the Rockhampton suburb of Frenchville, Queensland. Photo / The Morning Bulletin

BRISBANE - Residents of a Rockhampton suburb were last night being urged to evacuate their homes as a "terrifying" bushfire threatens properties in the central Queensland city.

The fire has been burning in Mt Archer National Park for several days and by last night had already destroyed one unoccupied house at Lakes Creek in the Mt Archer area, east of Rockhampton.

Residents of the Rockhampton suburb of Frenchville were told to leave their homes yesterday afternoon.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) acting assistant commissioner Paul Adcock yesterday said the wind had changed, putting Frenchville homes in danger.

"People who live in those particular areas, if they feel safe to leave, they should do so now," he told ABC Radio.

QFRS commissioner Lee Johnson said the "terrifying" fire was fanned by erratic winds and could have been deliberately lit.

"We do have suspicions about its origin, but at this stage we can't pinpoint it exactly."

With up to 50 fires burning around the state and 27 days straight of firefighting, crews were already being pushed to the limits, Acting Premier Andrew Fraser said.

"This is a situation ... that does not need another idiot to start another fire."

Rockhampton mayor Brad Carter said he had spotted up to 15 fires he believed had been deliberately lit along Emu Park Rd yesterday.

He told ABC Radio, "They were about a couple of kilometres apart."

- AAP