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Russell Crowe‘s family have spoken out to rubbish claims that the actor’s home was “saved first” during this week’s bush fires.
WATCH: Bushfire residents see their burnt-down home for the first time
When bush fires reached Nana Glen, NSW, on Tuesday, some local residents had said their homes were left to burn in favour of saving the actor’s sprawling property.
“I’m angry because our friend’s house is there burning and all the trucks go to Russell Crowe’s. What about normal, everyday people?,” Nana Glen resident Debbie Waldon claimed to Seven News on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the actor’s niece, Chelsea Crowe fired back on Facebook.
“Unfortunately, there is a lot of gossip… going around that fire crews abandoned properties in favour to protect Russell’s home,” wrote Chelsea.
“If you look at a map and knew the boundary lines the entire property is backed by Tallawudjah and the state forest. Whilst they moved to crews to a previously scouted vantage point to attack it as it came through the ridge.
“This move was not to protect his buildings in particular. It wouldn’t have mattered who lived there.”
Chelsea added fire crews were still fighting the blaze from the residential and rural sides of the tiny town until early hours of the morning.
“So if you think they were favouring a few buildings of his only, kindly f**k off,” she posted.
She edited the post, which she’d originally written at 3am, to say the homes of her uncle, dad, grandparents and other relatives were still standing next morning.
Other local’s commented on Chelsea’s Facebook post, backing up what she’d said.
“I personally spoke to the RFS yesterday before we evacuated and they said the only thing stopping Nana Glen from going up in flames yesterday was if they could contain the fire as it came through the forest at that location behind Russell’s property,” one woman wrote.
“They weren’t trying to save Russell’s property in particular, they were trying to save all of Nana Glen!” said another.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the NSW Rural Fire Service previously said claims Crowe’s property was prioritised were untrue.
“Firefighters are not aware of whose homes they are being sent to – aerial crews wouldn’t be aware of whose property they are going to either,” a spokesperson told the publication.
“Crews are dispatched on priority of jobs and the properties that need it the most, we are not aware of who owns the properties.”
Since the fires swept through on Tuesday and Wednesday, Russell has taken to Twitter to give updates on the state of his property, and to thank fire fighters.
“Lost a couple of buildings , but overall very lucky so far,” Russell wrote.
“Chapel roof scorched. Deepest thanks to everyone on the ground.
“Some fires still burning and we are out of water.
“No livestock deaths to date. Horses ok. Let the chickens out and they are back, warm worms for breakfast!”
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