Bendigo truck fire: Sheep saved from becoming lamb roast
Firefighters say it was a small miracle most sheep survived a burning truck fire near Bendigo on Wednesday night.
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Hundreds of sheep trapped in a truck on fire near Bendigo have been saved from becoming lamb roast, according to the Country Fire Authority.
Seven CFA crews responded to the fire on the Calder Alternative Highway, Marong, 15km west of Bendigo on Wednesday May 26.
A spokesman said Lockwood, Marong and Maiden Gully crews arrived to find the trailer section of the semi-trailer engulfed in flames at 7.33pm.
It is believed the fire started on the rear trailer and while crews were able to detach the driver’s section of the truck, the fire still raged under the trailer - where 500 animals were stuck.
“We saved the truck but there’s a trailer full of sheep in strife,” he said at the time.
Bullock Creek resident Jeanette Mamouney said she heard multiple “explosions” go off as the semi-trailer caught alight.
“The foundations of the house shook,” Ms Mamouney said.
Ms Mamouney said her son-in-law helped firefighters and other truck drivers remove most of the animals.
And that quick-thinking likely saved most of the animals with only a few needing to be put down, she said.
“It wasn’t as sad as it could have been,” Ms Mamouney said.
The blaze was under control by 8.30pm.
Police and City of Greater Bendigo workers are also at the scene.
INITIAL: A semi-trailer carrying sheep has caught fire on the Calder Alternative Highway, leaving the animals trapped in flames.
A Country Fire Authority spokesman said five crews were responding to the fire at Marong, 15km west of Bendigo.
The CFA spokesman said the crews were called after a blaze started under the wheels of the trailer at 7.33pm on Wednesday May 26.
He said crews were able to detach the driver’s section of the truck, but the fire was still raging under the trailer where the animals were stuck.
“We saved the truck but there’s a trailer full of sheep in strife,” he said.
It is unknown how many animals are trapped in the burning truck.
The CFA spokesman said paramedics were not called as the driver was unharmed, but vets have been called to the scene.
Police and City of Greater Bendigo workers are also at the scene.
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