Southwestern Victoria bushfires deemed non-suspicious

AN aggressive bushfire which devastated farming communities in southwestern Victoria and tore through dozens of homes has been deemed non-suspicious.

AN aggressive bushfire which devastated farming communities in southwestern Victoria and tore through dozens of homes has been deemed non-suspicious.

Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad, along with local police, CFA fire investigators and other agencies have investigated the cause of four fires in the states south west which started on Saturday.

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A huge fire lights up the night at Lake Gnotuk. Picture: Oat Wacharachat Vaiyaboon Firefighters battle blazes in Victoria's southwest

The causes of the four fires, which started between 8pm and 9.30pm, have all been deemed as not being deliberately lit.

The fire in MacArthurs Penshurst Road, Gazette started when a tree in a bluegum plantation fell onto power lines, bringing them to the ground.

Electrical sparks then ignited surrounding vegetation.

The Terang-Cobden Road fire was a result of power lines clashing in high winds causing electrical arcs and igniting surrounding vegetation.

The Occupation lane, Garvoc fire was caused by a power pole snapping in high winds and falling to the ground. Electrical arcs then ignited the vegetation.

A house which was incinerated south of Cobden. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

The Camperdown-Bullen Merri (Gnotuk) fire was also caused by a tree limb falling across lines bringing them to the ground.

An earth wire on a nearby power pole then became exposed causing the pole to become energised, igniting surrounding vegetation.

Victoria Police has finished its probe into the fires unless any further evidence comes to light.

No-one was injured during the damaging fires.

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