A 71-year-old man has been arrested and interviewed by police over a “significant” grass fire which has burnt through more than 750 hectares north-east of Melbourne.
Police said the man has been released pending further enquiries as they investigate what sparked the fire, which has destroyed sheds, fences and damaged a home.
Meanwhile, about 100 firefighters and a waterbombing aircraft are working to attack the fire in Flowerdale, after it began about 3pm on Tuesday.
Residents of Flowerdale and surrounding towns were this morning told it was too late to leave and to shelter indoors, but the warning message was downgraded to watch and act about 11am.
Residents have been urged to be ready to activate their bushfire survival plan at any moment.
“The fire is not contained or under control so it is critical for people stay across the conditions and warnings that we are pushing out,” Victoria Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said.
“This is one of the more significant fires that we have seen this season.”
‘Dry weather, dry fuel and dry winds’
Country Fire Authority Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said authorities were concerned about changing weather conditions and heat in the coming days.
“Summer is here and the floods (from last year) and rain has caused lots of fuel and growth, that is now dry,” he said.
“We have seen a number of grass fires start over the past couple of weeks which has caused concern.”
Sector Commander Tom Goldstraw urged residents to stay across warnings and safety messages, saying that what applies to your neighbour may not apply to you.
“Protecting sheds and fences and houses is a priority,” he said.
“I am hoping to get it contained before the weather warms up late in the week.”
Some sheds and fences have been damaged but no lives or homes have been lost.
The area was also hit by the devastating Black Saturday fires in 2009.
Meanwhile, across the border in South Australia, a day of extreme temperatures is on the cards.
Heatwave conditions are set to lift nudge 40 degrees, forcing some childcare centres to close.
Huge Sydney waterspout leaves locals rubbing eyes in disbelief
