Two men expected to be charged following a bush fire alert at Penfield, alert downgraded

Two men are expected to be charged following a bush fire alert at Penfield in the northern suburbs where residents were initially told to leave before the alert was later downgraded.

Grass Fire, Penfield Picture: Facebook

Two men are expected to be charged following a bushfire at Penfield on Saturday afternoon.

Amid hot and windy conditions emergency services were called to Womma Road at about 2.30pm after reports a grass fire had been sparked by an angle grinder and was out of control, burning in a southerly direction near the Edinburgh RAAF base.

A CFS alert was issued at 3.28pm advising: “Leave now.”

“This bushfire may threaten your safety. Check that the path is clear and go to a safer place. Do not enter this area as conditions are dangerous.”

CFS volunteers on 38 trucks supported by the Metropolitan Fire Service worked to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures and water bomber aircraft filling from a local dam doused the fire front from above.

Emergency services made a priority of safeguarding a residential lifestyle village in Andrews Rd.

The fire burnt approximately 33ha of grass and caused damage to a shed and several glass houses.

Three people were taken to hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. No homes were damaged but nearby residents had to put up thick smoke from the blaze.

An updated alert issued at 4.48pm advised there was no threat to life or property and that conditions should be monitored.

Grass Fire, Penfield Picture: Facebook

Following an investigation, a 31-year-old Waterloo Corner man and a 31-year-old Penfield man were arrested at the scene and are expected to be charged with bushfire related offences.

Roads in the area were closed for just over three hours while emergency services brought the fire under control.

This grass fire had been burning in a south-easterly direction towards Wommna Road, Andrews Road, Belchambers Road, Stebonheath, Elizabeth Park and Elizabeth South.

The CFS alert notes conditions are continually changing and the public can check for updates at the CFS website at cfs.sa.gov.au or phone the Information Hotline on 1800 362 361.

Police thanked the public for their patience and assistance.

Originally published as Two men expected to be charged following a bush fire alert at Penfield, alert downgraded