A number of residents are still missing in northern NSW after a bushfire, which police believe was deliberately lit, destroyed more than a dozen homes in the Rappville area.
It’s believed the fire that ripped through the small village of Rappville on Tuesday may have been deliberately lit with NSW Emergency Services Minister David Elliott labelling the potential arson a “bastard act”.
Superintendent Toby Lindsay won’t say exactly how many people are still unaccounted for.
Richmond Valley mayor Robert Mustow asked locals to report into authorities.
Mustow said the loss of a local timber mill would hurt 30 employees and have a “big impact on our community”.
The Brisbane to Sydney rail line has been cut and won’t be operational again for an estimated five days, the mayor added.
