Mosquito Hill fire: Structures lost as scrub burns on Fleurieu Peninsula
THE fight against a fire which threatened numerous homes on the Fleurieu Peninsula has been declared all but finished.
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FIREFIGHTERS have declared their fight against a fire which almost threatened numerous homes on the Fleurieu Peninsula is all but finished.
The Country Fire Service has issued a reduced threat advice notice on the Mosquito Hill fire, which began on New Year’s Eve and burnt out of control for several hours.
Extensive efforts by CFS aerial bombers and ground crews saw no homes lost in the fire south of Adelaide but four sheds, an outhouse and a greenhouse went up in flames.
The fast-moving fire threatened houses and lives at Mosquito Hill and Tooperang, on the Fleurieu Peninsula, as it raged through dry grasslands and scrub from about 3pm on New Year’s Eve.
The CFS said threat posed by the fire near Goolwa Road, Kokoda Road, Deep Creek Road, Trig Point Road, Olsen Road and Cleland Gully Road on the Fleurieu Peninsula had reduced.
“The fire ground will continue to be monitored by fire crews over the coming days,” it said.
“Although the threat has reduced, be aware that the is still considerable risk present within the burnt area.”
Police told The Advertiser they had identified a roadside ignition point and crime scene investigators were scouring the site on Goolwa Rd, about 1.5km southeast of Mosquito Hill. Fire cause investigators have returned to the site.
An emergency warning was lifted on Thursday evening as Mosquito Hill and Tooperang faced the biggest threat.
Hundreds of firefighters and aerial bombers tackled the blaze, which burned in an easterly direction before a wind change started pushing it to the northeast.
Flames came within metres of properties along Trigg Rd when a late wind change swept the blaze north over a hill
Susan Jeanes, a former Liberal MP for Kingston, said the fire had ripped through her 32ha property destroying three cars, a shed and their 4ha vineyard.
Her family’s cats, a tabby named Soxy and a mixed breed called Minnie, and four rescue chickens were also killed by the fast moving blaze.
“The cats were the kid’s pets who lived in the shed — we are sad they are gone but we know things could have been worse,” she said.
“What scared us was we were on our way to the cricket (Big Bash) and it all happened so quickly.”
Mrs Jeanes her family home was saved by her husband’s stringent fire safety plans and “Elvis” the helicopter water bomber which appeared overhead and created a buffer around their home in their time of dire need.
“We lost three cars, a combi an old beamer and unfortunately a car that had belonged to my grandmother.
A selfless neighbour, who left his property to fight the flames near Mrs Jeanes house, lost his car in the fire.
“Our neighbour drove over here to help us and while doing so his car was destroyed.”
His car, a Commodore, was not insured.
“It is horrible, as he was trying to help us and in doing so was unable to protect his property. I hope there is someway he can be compensated for the car as it was just a selfless act.”
Kim Bishop lost his shed containing three vehicles, a trailer and the possessions of his children, who are moving house and were storing their furniture.
“Beds, washing machine and all their stuff is gone,” he said.
“It was going down towards the creek and then it just changed direction. I lost the shed, three cars and a trailer.
“The same thing happened two years ago on New Year’s. The CFS have done a great job.”
Neighbour John Jones, who has lived on Trigg Rd for three years, said everyone helped out early as residents flocked to Mr Bishop’s property, which was under threat.
“The community really helped out,” Mr Jones said.
“I got to my neighbours and four or five different cars were there helping out before the CFS arrived.
“From there it just spread really quickly and they’ve had the planes out and the chopper.”
As the fire swept through the Mosquito Hill Rd area, the flames came dangerously close to Warren Gosper’s property.
“Once it came over the hill there was nothing we could do,” he said.
“It came through real fast ... it only took a few minutes. The CFS got here and helped out and my wife became stuck down by the dam trying to save the cattle ... she managed to get out.”