The fire behaviour was unusual in many areas due to extreme dryness of fuel and variable winds.
The initial destruction in Warragamba and the Hawkesbury River area prompted a natural disaster declaration by the State Government.
A band of fire running from Campbelltown, New South Wales east to the coast was the firefighters main concern.
One resident, Father John Evans battled to save the local parish church, only to see his own house burn down.
The local electricity supplier, Integral Energy estimated the cost in the Warragamba and surrounding areas at 3 million dollars.