Locals in a suburb on the NSW South Coast are being told it is too late to leave as a bushfire approaches.
The fire is just a couple of hundred of metres from homes including a retirement village, Coastal Waters Retirement Village in Worrowing Heights, which has told 9News its 500 residents are sheltering in place.
An emergency warning was issued for Worrowing Heights in Shoalhaven this afternoon amid windy and hot weather and remained in place at 7.30pm.
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A fire was burning out of control north of Sanctuary Point, south of The Wool road and to the west and east of Larmer Avenue.
"If you are in the Worrowing Heights area, you are in danger. It is now too late to leave," the warning reads.
"Seek shelter now inside a solid structure such as a house."
Firefighters and water bombing aircraft are attacking the blaze, which flared up in the past two hours, fuelled by gusty, unpredictable 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 were told to prepare to leave.
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.
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