Storm sparks fires

SOUTH Gippsland was woken by a thunderstorm on Thursday night that caused damage across the region.

A number of lightning strikes resulted in fires at Leongatha South, Ruby, Dumbalk North and Stony Creek, with CFA brigades called out across Friday morning.

Ruby and Leongatha brigades attended a fire at Old Korumburra Road where lightning caught fire in scrub at 1.49am. Firefighters contained and extinguished the blaze before it spread any further.

Lightning also ignited a roadside tree at Leongatha South on the Bass Highway. Leongatha and Koonwarra fire brigades attended the private property at 6.52am and managed to extinguish the flames before they spread.

Leongatha CFA secretary Gary Burns said wet weather decreased the risk of fires spreading throughout the morning.

“Koonwarra and Leongatha brigades attended the Leongatha South fire and managed to keep it under control.

All fires throughout the morning were caused by the thunderstorm,” he said.

Meeniyan and Stony Creek Fire Brigade was called to a fire as a result of lightning at Whitelaws Track at Stony Creek.

The unit was called at 9.06am and the area was declared safe by 9.40am.

Dumbalk Rural Fire Brigade also extinguished a flaming tree at Dumbalk South at 9.11am on Friday.

Meanwhile residents of Devon North were advised to take action as a bushfire continued to burn between Calrossie and Won Wron, near Yarram. Walkerville brigade assisted in fighting fires in the region.

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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Nov 24 2015. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry