NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object Raycast...?

My melee attack raycast script I got from a tutorial video doesn't seem to be working? Any help I can get is appreciated thank you :) !

Error:

NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object MeleeAttack.attack () (at Assets/Custom Assets/Scripts/Player/MeleeAttack.js:36) MeleeAttack.Update () (at Assets/Custom Assets/Scripts/Player/MeleeAttack.js:24)

MeleeAttack.js

var countdown : int = 2; var playerAttackRange : int = 5; var particle : GameObject; var player : GameObject;

function Start () {

}

function Update () { var particleClone = particle; if(countdown > 0){ countdown -= Time.deltaTime; } if(countdown <= 0){ countdown = 2; }

 if(Input.GetButton("Fire1")){
     particleClone = Instantiate(particle, transform.position, transform.rotation);
     Destroy(particleClone, 1);
     attack();
     }
     

}

function attack(){ if(AbilitySystem.fireElement.equippedFire == true) {

 var hit : RaycastHit;
 var fwd = transform.TransformDirection (Vector3.forward);
 
 if(Physics.Raycast (transform.position, fwd, playerAttackRange)){
         if(hit.collider.gameObject.tag == "Enemy") {
         Debug.Log("Melee has struck" + hit.collider.gameObject + "!!!!!!!!!!!");
             hit.collider.gameObject.GetCompponent(EnemyHealth).enemyCurrentHealth -= AbilitySystem.fireElement.swordDamage;
             }
         }
     }
 }