Tuesday, 18 March, 2025
Double house fire leaves homes unsalvageable
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Night evacuation By Mikayla van Loon
The fire loomed over Montrose residents late into Saturday night. (Supplied)
The night sky was lit by the threatening blaze as an unexpected wind shift saw the fire jump containment lines. (Warrandyte CFA) the Montrose Township Group are doing some exceptional work,” Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said. “We will provide updates when we have them and our thoughts are with our residents at this distressing time.”
Sunday’s rain proved helpful, stopping the spread of the fire enough to provide some relief to firefighters. “There was some concern that it may spot over and get over into the Dandenong Ranges, but I
Boronia CFA firefighters were called in for asset protection. (Boronia CFA) can’t see that happening with the conditions today,” Mr Barbetti said. “I’m fairly confident the fire won’t spread much beyond its current area. Continued page 7
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Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the night on Saturday as a bushfire in Montrose threatened nearby houses, spread out of control and forced residents to evacuate. Initial reporting on Sunday morning by CFA Incident Controller Bernard Barbetti was that one house had been lost, one had been damaged, and about 33 hectares had burned. This was later updated on Sunday afternoon at a community meeting that the fire had burned 40 hectares, with one house lost and two houses damaged. Mr Barbetti told the ABC on Sunday that an unexpected burst of wind caused the fire to double in size at the Dr Ken Leversha Reserve at around midnight. “[The fire] made a significant run about midnight last night. We had a downburst. We thought we had the fire under control but it moved the fire north,” he said. Residents were awoken to the flames reaching above the trees and were told to get out. Some stayed to water their homes and protect as much as they could, with firefighters also positioned in streets under the most imminent threat, including Actoal Drive. At 12.51am on Sunday, the situation became dire, with an emergency take shelter now warning issued, making it too late to leave. “There is increased fire activity on the western side, near Jeanette Maree Court, and on the eastern side, near Ruby Road. There is also (a) significant ember attack on the northern edge,” the warning read. “This fire is threatening homes and lives. It is too late to leave the area safely so you must take shelter now. You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.” An emergency relief hub was set up at the Kilsyth Sports Centre at Pinks Reserve for around 25 residents who had to flee their properties, with the need for it to remain open ceasing at around 4.30pm on Sunday. “As usual we’re seeing our community come together and helping each other out, in particular
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