Within a short time the fire took hold of rugged bushland and headed towards the area known to locals as the State Mine Gully.

The call came into the Marrangaroo Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigade moments later.

With local knowledge at hand RFS officers knew it would take more than a couple of local RFS units to extinguish.

Local, district and regional brigades were joined by units from Tasmania and Victoria to battle the flames while hundreds of community members worked side by side to feed and house them.

Community spirit was in abundance as they worked together to protect their homes and livelihoods.

Neighbours who were unknown to each other introduced themselves over garden hoses, shovels and rakes.

New found friendships were forged as they worked to clear flammable rubbish from yards and clean out gutters blocked by fallen leaves.

Nerves were on edge at the public RFS meetings when officers explained the predicted conditions did not look favourable.

This seemed to only bring the community even more closer together.

Thursday, October 17 had the town braced for the worst as winds were already 40km/h at 5am in the morning.

By midday there were wind gusts up to 95km/h and only 18 per cent humidity.

Severe damaged was caused to the iconic Zig Zag railway along with a number of sheds on properties in outlying areas.

The fire had travelled 30km in only 24 hours.

All up the fire burnt out an area that spanned 54,862 hectares with a perimeter of 461km.

The Rural Fire Service (RFS) crews worked tirelessly for 25 days until the fire was officially declared out on November 19.

After the flames died down and the main threat to property had passed, the defence force took responsibility for starting one of the biggest fires the Lithgow region has faced in a decade.

Considering the size and ferocity of the fire the RFS were surprised and pleased that the loss amounted to two homes destroyed, two homes damaged and three outbuildings destroyed.

No lives were lost.

Twelve months on

Residents in the Lithgow region remained vigilant when the bushfire season officially began on October 1 this year.

RFS officers and volunteers have taken part in more basic training routines than ever before, due to an influx of new members.

The RFS also works closely with the defence department at Marrangaroo to carry out site training for potential fire outbreaks and have set up a safety program.

New legislation allows property owners to clear their land a greater distance from their residence.

The Defence department has had 41 claims submitted for compensation with 23 still to be settled.

Hazard reductions are in place.

The Zig Zag railway remains closed.

For the Mercury's story on the Zig Zag railway 12 months after the fire head to page 4 in tomorrow's Lithgow Mercury