Highway blaze ‘accidental’

Residents prepare to defend homes

STEVE Savic was ready to defend his Coalfields Highway property from fire on Monday afternoon.

The fire started in a paddock directly across from his home at about 3.30pm.

Mr Savic said he was outside when he saw flashing lights, smoke and a spotter plane overhead.

From the front of his property, he said he could see the fire racing toward his home.

“The fire was being blown towards my house, but they put it out fast,” he said.

“I was worried about the embers flying across the road, but fortunately I had ploughed my paddock this year - that was my saving grace.”

As firies battled the blaze, Mr Savic waited in his driveway with a 1000L fire fighting unit on the back of a trailer in case the flames jumped the road.

“It’s homemade - a lot of people have them,” he said.

“The firies did an excellent job - they pulled it under control really well.”

A Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) spokesperson said the cause of the fire was considered accidental. The fire started at about 3.30pm and was controlled by 7.30pm.

Six hectares were burnt before fire crews gained control, and no homes or lives were endangered.

Numerous local fire units and police attended, including multiple water bomber planes.