Baringa State Secondary College evacuated following bushfire
Firefighters have saved a school and homes from a large grass fire on the Sunshine Coast which prompted the evacuation of staff and students.
Sunshine Coast
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A large grass fire at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast prompted a high school evacuation on Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency services issued an “avoid smoke” warning at 2.38pm advising residents in Little Mountain and the surrounding area to stay inside and close windows and doors.
A Queensland Fire and Emergency spokesperson said 11 crews and a helicopter were on scene working to contain a grass fire in bushland near Koala Court, Little Mountain.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services’ James Baldock said the fire was burning on a small parcel of land between Koala Court and Baringa State Secondary School.
“Four urban crews and seven rural crews as well as air support came to protect properties which were potentially in the firing line, including residential homes, the school and commercial premises to the west,” he said.
“There was some swirling wind changing directions and blowing embers very suddenly.”
He said the flame height reached up to four metres.
The blaze was under control shortly before 4pm.
Baringa State Secondary College was evacuated as a safety precaution.
A Queensland Police spokeswoman said officers were on the scene assisting firefighters and the school.
She said the school-led evacuation was as a precaution and that students and teachers were taken to the school oval.
A Department of Education spokesperson said the school was advised around 2pm that emergency services were responding to a fire in close proximity to the school.
“A whole school evacuation was enacted and the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services attended the school to help safely manage the situation,” they said.
They said no one was injured and there was no damage caused to the school.
Access to the school was not affected and students were able to leave at 2.30pm.
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