LATEST: Hunter Bushfire Emergency

Photo: Rikki-Lee Davies

UPDATE 6:30PM: A 26-year-old man has been refused bail on arson offences. More on that story here.

UPDATE 4:01PM: The Kurri Kurri blaze has been contained. 

Crews will spend the rest of the day strengthening containment lines and dousing potential hot spots. 

Nearly a hundred firefighters were needed to bring the flames under control. It burnt through 32 hectares of bush and scrub. 

Advice: Lang St Kurri Kurri – Fire now contained. Crews to remain on scene looking for hot spots and mopping up. #NSWRFS

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 24, 2017

UPDATE 2:35PM: The Kurri Kurri fire has been downgraded to the 'Advice' level. 

Police are continuing to interrogate the 26-year-old man arrested in relation to the blaze. 

No charges have been laid as of yet.

Photo - MJF Productions Australia

UPDATE 1:32PM: Police have confirmed they've arrested a 26-year-old man has been arrested in relation to the Kurri Kurri fire.  

Video - Gail Fairweather

UPDATE 1:05PM: Firefighters are gaining the upper hand on the Lang Street fire, thanks to water bombers and easing weather conditions.

The blaze is burning around Mulbring Street.

The fire has burnt out 20 hectares of bush.

85 firefighters are working on the ground with the help from the Very Large Aerial Tanker and Large Aerial Tanker.

UPDATE 12:31PM: The RFS says the Lang Street bushfire is moving towards Pelaw Main. Residents in Minmi St, Greta St, Hebburn St and Abermain St are being told to be alert.

The Camberwell fire has been downgraded to the 'Advice' level. The New England Highway has re-opened.

UPDATE 12:06PM: Firefighters are battling a large bushfire near Kurri Kurri pool.

Property protection is underway along Boundary Street, Lang Street and Aberdare Street.

It's listed at the 'Watch and Act' level.

UPDATE 11:47AM: The Camberwell bushfire has been downgraded to the 'Watch and Act' level as firefighters gain the upper hand.

No properties are currently under threat.

The New England Highway remains closed.

EARLIER: An emergency warning is in place for an out of control grass fire west of Camberwell.

The fire has crossed the New England Highway and is heading east towards the village.

The RFS says it's burning in the vicinity of McInerney Rd, Alpha Street, Lethbridge Street, New England Highway, Glennie Street, Dyrring Street, Dawson Street and Dulwich Place.

Residents are urged to shelter in place as the fire front arrives.

The Very Large Air Tanker and Large Air Tanker are heading there now.

The New England Highway is closed in both directions, with drivers urged to use the Golden Highway.