Harkaway seconds from disaster

By Kelly Yates and
SECONDS separated Harkaway village from destruction on Saturday as a fire in Crawley Road, Narre Warren North, raced toward the town.
It claimed an unoccupied heritage-listed cottage in Aranmore Crescent, a house in Halleur Road, and part of another house nearbyin Halleur Road, as well as several sheds, cars, and outdoor buildings.
Police have charged a 40-year-old man from Kilsyth with breaches of regulations on a total fire ban day and conduct endangering life.
The 184-hectare grass fire took hold in the early afternoon in Narre Warren North, sideswiping the town centre.
It spread along grassland between Robinson Road and Crawley Road before jumping Robinson Road and Harkaway Road.
Tourists had received orders to stay away, road closures were in place, and blog sites began to sizzle as people searched for the most reliable information.
By 4pm Harkaway was under threat and residents had received the message to evacuate.
Harkaway resident Bill Peeler stayed, fearing for the horses on his property, while his wife Eleanor left with their dogs.
“The fire came within a hair’s breadth of wiping out the town,” Bill said.
“It was an eerie feeling that night as few people remained.”
Emergency services treated several fire fighters and residents for heat exhaustion and minor burns.
The temperature was 47.1 degrees in the Narre Warren North fire station, less than 500 metres away from that section of the fire.
By 11pm on Saturday, the CFA reported that 150 hectares were alight. The front was north east, in the direction of Upper Beaconsfield.
Narre Warren North Fire Brigade captain Shaun Trotter told the community meeting on Monday night that if the brigades had not stopped the fire at Harkaway Road it would have hit Upper Beaconsfield and possibly met up with the Bunyip fires further east.
Forty fire trucks and tankers and two helicopters, including the Elvis helicopter, were at the scene.
“Water bombing was effective,” Captain Trotter said.
“We had Elvis for about three hours.”
Nine fire trucks were on patrol on Monday in an effort to prevent any flare-ups.
“The firefighters are tired but we’re receiving help from other brigades,” Mr Trotter said.
Authorities eventually declared the total area of damage to be 184 hectares.
More than 200 firefighters saved 105 homes in the direct fire line.
Police are warning people not to use power tools, barbecues and other equipment during total fire ban days.
Police said the fire was triggered by sparks from a power tool.
A Kilsyth man is bailed to appear at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 21 May.