Australian bush fires destroy nearly 200 homes

The Springwood and Winmalee areas of the Blue Mountains were among the hardest hit, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service said. It suggested residents seek shelter and protect themselves from the heat. Emergency alert telephone warning messages are being sent to people in the area, the fire service said.

The fire service has also upgraded the status of the fire that began near Lithgow, while warning of intensifying threats to properties at Bell.

The fires have caused numerous road closures in the state, the fire service said, adding that damage assessment is still underway.

At least one person has died as a result of the fires. Walter Lindner, 63, died of a suspected heart attack on Friday while defending his home against a blaze on the New South Wales Central Coast, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Lindner collapsed while working alongside his neighbor to save his heritage-listed homestead, according to ABC. He was rushed to a hospital but was later pronounced dead.

The Blue Mountains area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site to the west of Sydney. Fires in the area, some still not under control, sent thick plumes of smoke into the air.

New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell warned at a Thursday news conference that hundreds of homes could be destroyed by the time the crisis is over.

He paid tribute to the efforts of the emergency responders battling the flames.

"This difficult, damaging and dangerous day and these conditions are not going to be over quickly," he said. "Weather conditions are changing. It will take some days to see the end of these fires, and I suspect if we get through that without the loss of life, we should thank God for miracles."

Footage broadcast earlier by CNN affiliate Seven Network showed flames consuming homes.