Cause of Port Lincoln bushfire revealed as damage toll confirmed

The cause of the huge Port Lincoln bushfire is revealed as the CFS says 23 structures were hit - 16 destroyed, including a home. The toxic dump fire will burn for days.

This article is unlocked and free to read in the interest of community safety. Get full digital access to trusted news from The Advertiser and Messenger with our great introductory offer.

A devastating blaze at Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula was sparked by failed infrastructure, authorities have revealed.

The fire, which started on Thursday afternoon in sweltering conditions and 70kph winds, burned 142 hectares in total outside the Port Lincoln township.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs confirmed that failed power infrastructure sparked the fire, but said it was “too early to comment” on what measures would be taken to sure up safety in the wake of the blaze.

On Friday afternoon, CFS Chief Officer Brett Loughlin said 23 properties had been impacted by the flames, with six of those destroyed including commercial premises, sheds and outbuildings.

The CFS has since revised number that number up to 16 properties destroyed, with one home completely lost.

Toxic smoke rises from the Port Lincoln dump, which is on fire. Picture: Rob Lang

Thirteen firefighters flew from Adelaide to Port Lincoln on Thursday evening to assist local crews in battling the flames, with an additional 12 travelling from Whyalla.

The CFS chief praised the heroic efforts of CFS, MFS and Department of Water authorities in combating the blaze, saying their work likely saved lives.

“From the moment it started, this fire started within 80 to 100m of the first property that was impacted,” he said.

“The lifesaving work of firefighters yesterday (Thursday) cannot be understated and there are dozens of properties and lives that are continuing today thanks to the heroic efforts of those on the front line.”

A toxic smoke warning has been issued to Port Lincoln residents. Picture: Tom Rush

Mr Loughlin said specialist equipment had been deployed to battle ongoing flames at the Port Lincoln dump but the rubbish was expected to burn for days to come.

He said the nature of the material “wouldn’t be an easy task” for firefighters to tackle.

A warning remains in place as thick smoke from the dump fire drifts across the area, with the CFS advising residents to keep their windows and doors shut. The dump is expected to burn for several days.

Authorities have also urged residents to steer clear of the fire ground as they work to prepare the area for surging temperatures next week.

“We will be in this area for days to come. We have more challenging weather forecast into next week so we have a lot of work to get done,” Mr Loughlin said.

“There will be a lot of people moving around. Residents are urged to be cautious when moving around fire-affected areas and we ask that people stay away in not directly in the area.”

Pictures: The out-of-control bushfire that threatened Port Lincoln

VIEW GALLERY

The emergency bushfire warning for the blaze was downgraded to an advice message on Thursday night after more than 80 CFS firefighters and 14 MFS firefighters battled the fire at its height.

Port Lincoln mayor Diana Mislov said community members needed to rally around each other as damage was assessed.

“It’s a very eerie feeling this morning,” Mayor Mislov told ABC Radio Adelaide.

“There’s thick smoke still, a thick plume actually, coming up from the resource recovery centre and the smell is thick in the air.”

Mayor Mislov said the ash smell was “very unpleasant”.

“It is triggering for our community,” she said.

“Those smells bring back memories of recent bushfires that we’ve had and disasters on the Eyre Peninsula so I do hope everyone takes good care of themselves in that regard.

“I would like to just thank the volunteers and the CFS and especially the aerial bombing that happened. The helicopter yesterday (Thursday) was outstanding to extinguish this fire as quickly as it was even though it’s still running there in the rubbish dump.”

Port Lincoln Racing Club chairman David Reid said trainers had evacuated the club but two staff had remained with a water truck.

“We had no real incident at the club which was a fantastic outcome,” he told ABC Radio Adelaide.

“The welfare of the horses was certainly of great concern to all of us.”