Inspector Duty Commander Mid North Coast for Fire and Rescue NSW, Tony Lenthall, said the clean up and decontamination was continuing to assess the presence of asbestos in the houses.

“The houses are still smouldering and we are here along with Police Forensics, who are examining the site,” Inspector Lenthall said.

“Once that is completed we will seal the site to prevent any contaminant release.”

He said his brigade received the call at 12.50pm yesterday and arrived to find both houses well alight, one of which had already collapsed. Two cars were also alight.

“The fire had spread very rapidly to the second house but we were then able to contain it to prevent further damage.

“There were two Hazmat crews from Coffs  and Port plus brigades from Port Macquarie, Kempsey and two from Macksville, there were also five RFS crews on site plus police and ambulances.

“Due to the thick smoke, crews were wearing breathing apparatus and the RFS tankers were shuttling water for us to use as there are no street hydrants in the town.”

There were reportedly no people inside the homes but a woman, who rushed back to save her dog, had to jump four metres out a window to escape.

A NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said the woman was taken to Coffs Harbour Base Hospital with suspected broken ankles, 

Another man, who suffered burns to his hands, was taken to Macksville District Hospital.

The fire is not being treated as suspicious.