Firefighters are working to control a fire burning in a north-westerly direction near Melbourne Street at Aberdare.

The fire, at the moment, is burning within containment lines and on Saturday morning the Rural Fire Service said there are no properties under threat.

The township of Neath may be impacted by smoke under a southerly wind.  

Firefighters have been backburning to establish containment lines.

FRIDAY 10pm:  The fire, burning in bushland near Melbourne Street at Aberdare, crossed Duffie Drive this afternoon.

But the good news is that rain has been falling on the fire this evening.

Where conditions are suitable, firefighters have been backburning from existing trails and roadways.

The fire has burnt out 116 hectares.

Earlier Friday

A FIRE burning close to homes near Cessnock has forced the evacuation of some residents as firefighters work to protect homes.  

Police have undertaken some evacuations in Ellalong St.  Residents have been taken to the Kearsley Community Centre nearby.

Greyhound trainers managed to get their dogs out of the path of the fire and were preparing to take them to the Kearsley Community Hall.

The fire at Aberdare started yesterday and was sparked by a car fire which spread into bush land.

The fire was reportedly burning in bush land near Melbourne Street, Duffie Drive and Cummerford Close.

It reportedly crossed Duffie Dr this afternoon and is burning in a south-easterly direction towards Kearsley.

Crews are working in the area around Ellalong Road to protect properties.

An Emergency Alert telephone warning message was sent to homes in the area after midday.

Residents were told to hose down their homes which were under significant ember attack.

A float was allowed into the area to rescue horses in a nearby paddock.

Firefighters have worked to protect properties along Melbourne Street and the immediate threat has eased.

An RFS spokesman said the fire is five hectares in size and was reportedly burning towards properties on Cummerford Cl. Duffie Drive is currently closed.

A southerly change is forecast to reach the area late tonight.

This change has the potential to send the fire in a northerly direction towards Neath.

Multiple fire firefighters are on the scene with  water bombing aircraft expected to be called in.

What happened yesterday:

A WATER bombing helicopter was called in to extinguish a bushfire sparked by a car which was set alight near Cessnock late yesterday.

Emergency services were called to Melbourne St, Aberdare, about 5.30pm where a Toyota Camry was well alight.

Rural Fire Service and NSW Fire and Rescue crews managed to contain the blaze with the help of a helicopter.

Melbourne St was closed to traffic until about 7.30pm

A crime scene was established and police have deemed the fire to be deliberately lit.

They say the burgundy car had distinctive features as it was missing its bonnet and front doors.

They believe someone in the community may have seen it travelling in the area before it was abandoned.

Central Hunter LAC crime manager Detective Inspector John Zdrilic said investigators are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about the identity and whereabouts of the four males to contact police.

They are now looking for four males who were seen travelling in the car moments before the incident and who are described as having their faces covered with bandanas and wearing baseball cap

He told Fairfax the car was displaying numberplates and detectives would today try to track down who owned the vehicle.