Police question man after mowing sparks Sunbury grass fire on New Year’s Day
It’s a routine chore done by millions of Australians — but it all went wrong for one man who was questioned by police over a grass fire that burnt through 100ha and threatened Sunbury homes.
North West
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A man has been questioned by police after a mower sparked an out-of-control grass fire that threatened homes in Sunbury on New Year’s Day.
The mower struck a rock in Canterbury Ave about 1pm, with winds fanning the blaze in a north-easterly direction towards a housing estate on the outskirts of the town.
An emergency warning was issued for residents in Enterprize Drive and Settlers Way before it was downgraded later that evening.
Dozens of firefighters and multiple waterbombing aircraft battled the blaze, which burnt 100ha before it was declared under control the following morning.
No homes were damaged.
Hume detective Sergeant James Marsden said officers spoke to a man at the scene in Canterbury Ave.
“The cause of the fire was a rock strike during the process of mowing,” he told the Leader.
“Significant resources were deployed over a two-day period and luckily no one was injured or any structures lost.”
Sgt Marsden said operators of machinery had an obligation under the CFA Act to abide by certain conditions when using them during the fire danger period.
For lawnmowers this includes carrying at least one piece of fire-suppressing equipment, fitting it with an efficient spark arrester and clearing flammable material within 3m of the machine.
Sgt Marsden said the man assisted police and the investigation was ongoing.
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No charges have been laid.
It comes after a Roxburgh Park man faced court in December charged with intentionally causing and bushfire and criminal damage by fire in relation to 13 suspicious blazes in Melbourne’s outer north dating back to October last year.
More than 1.2 million hectares across Victoria has already been burnt this fire season, with two people killed, millions of wildlife injured and 450 buildings destroyed.