Building, grass fires in Mackay near cemetery spark evacuations, road closures
Police have set up road closures and smoke is blanketing West Mackay as eight firefighting crews work to protect properties.
Mackay
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Police have closed off roads and evacuated the cemetery after a grass fire broke out in West Mackay, with the fire now being brought under control.
The grass fire — which a Queensland Fire Department spokeswoman said was not currently a threat — broke out just before 11.45am off Hume St, West Mackay.
It evolved into a large area grass fire, with eight firefighting crews are working to protect properties near Hume St and power infrastructure.
Early reports to emergency crews claimed a vehicle fire was involved, but that has not been verified.
Firefighters now believe they have it mostly under control as of 2.10pm.
Police had been knocking on buildings on Shakespeare and Holland Sts and asking people to evacuate as a precaution since about 12.30pm.
Officers were doorknocking residents in the area, making sure they were aware of the fire.
Police crews have set up blocks stopping vehicles coming into the area, which includes the cemetery.
Road closures include the corner of Nebo Rd and Shakespeare St, Cemetary Rd and Holland St, and Bridge Rd and Hume St.
A mother who lives across the road from where the fire is currently burning needs to leave to pick up her children from school, but said she’s been told she can’t return once she does.
A visibility warning has also been issued for the Bruce Highway.
Earlier, fire crews were called to a suspected fire at a commercial building near the corner of River St and Wood St in the CBD, after smoke was seen in the building.
The building was evacuated out of caution.
Two crews remain there investigating the cause of the smoke, but no fire has been seen, a spokeswoman said, but police have since left.
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