Vic: Two homes destroyed in out of control bushfire in Victoria

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2005
Vic: Two homes destroyed in out of control bushfire in Victoria

By Jamie Duncan

MELBOURNE, Dec 31 AAP - A bushfire burning out of control has destroyed at least two
houses in Victoria's west tonight.

The fire is at Deep Lead, west of Stawell, about 240 kilometres west of Melbourne.

A Country Fire Authority (CFA) spokesman said the fire had destroyed two houses on
the Stawell-Pomonal Road, south-west of Stawell, a CFA spokeswoman said.

There are unconfirmed reports a third house has also been destroyed.

Properties in areas near the Stawell-Pomonal Road, the Stawell Town Pipeline Road,
Mullers Road and Lake Fyans Road are under threat, the spokeswoman said.

The fire was first reported in the Illawarra state forest shortly before 5.30pm (AEDT)
and has burned about 800 hectares.

The fire is burning in a south-easterly direction, fanned by hot, dry north-westerly winds.

About 125 firefighters and 30 tankers, supported by three water-bombing aircraft, are
on the scene.

Seven strike teams comprising a further 35 trucks in total are preparing to join the battle.

"Those residents in this area should expect smoke and burning embers to reach their
property, and are advised to patrol their houses to find and put out any burning embers
that may be landing," the spokeswoman said.

Residents and motorists in the area should seek shelter as the fire front approaches, she said.

Meanwhile, the CFA has warned residents and holidaymakers at the towns Bonnie Doon
and Maindample to beware a grassfire that has so far burned 120 hectares.

The area, on the shores of Lake Eildon, is a popular holiday spot.

The fire is travelling south and might threaten residents and campers at Geelong Hill
and Neely Point, the CFA spokeswoman said.

"Residents and campers in this area should expect smoke and burning embers to reach
their property, and are advised to patrol their houses to find and put out any burning
embers that may be landing," she said.

Temperatures soared well above 40 degrees Celsius in western Victoria today.

A total fire ban has been in force across most of Victoria today and will remain in
place until midnight (AEDT) tomorrow.

AAP jrd/cdh

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC SECOND NIGHTLEAD

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