Above: Hoons are being blamed for this grassfire in Sybella Avenue, Kooweerup.By Melissa Grant
A PETROL station engulfed by flames, two people arrested after suspicious scrub fire and a grassfire thought to have been started by hoons doing doughnuts, have set the scene for a frightening fire danger Friday.
The three blazes were sparked on Monday as strong winds swept the region and the CFA has warned residents to be on red hot alert on Friday.
A petrol spill from a jerry can is believed to have started the blaze which destroyed Emerald’s Coles Express service station at 6.30pm and Caltex staff fought to defend the company’s depot in Kooweerup after heat from a vehicle started a blaze in a nearby paddock earlier in the afternoon.
Police arrested a man and a woman after a scrub fire started in the Gembrook Park Estate about 6pm.
The pair, a man and a woman in their 40s, were released pending further investigation.
It is believed they were detained by a resident until police arrived.
Two women were injured in the Emerald service station blaze, with one flown to The Alfred hospital.
The Kooweerup grassfire, on Sybella Avenue, threatened three houses.
Fence lines were burning when the CFA arrived on the scene just after 3.30pm.
Despite the conditions, firefighters managed to keep a blaze in the Bunyip State Park, which has been burning for three weeks, within containment lines.
And fire conditions are expected to be much worse on Friday and firefighters also now have to ensure that a fire which started in Upwey on Monday does not flare up.
The CFA’s general manager for the Western Port area, Peter Schmidt, said there was a risk that the Bunyip State Park blaze could join up with fires in the Yarra Valley.
“Anything is possible on Friday,” he said.
“We consider that everyone is at some level of danger on Friday, particularly given the fire in Upwey, which will provide us with an additional challenge.
“I plead with all residents to take due care and heed warnings and to listen to our emergency broadcaster, ABC radio.
“If you’re going to leave, leave early – don’t wait until you see fire.”
The Bunyip State Park fire has burnt out 26,200 hectares, killing more than 350 farm animals and destroying 28 dwellings, including caravans.
Police are still investigating the fire, which is being treated as suspicious.
Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
