Great Western races cancelled by dramatic carpark fire

New images show firefighters racing to extingiuish a blazing fire that destroyed more than a dozen cars at Great Western Racecourse.

About 18 cars went up in flames outside at a racecourse in the Grampians, forcing patrons to flee as a huge cloud of black smoke was pumped into the sky

Plumes of “black toxic smoke” began wafting over the circuit after 1.30pm Sunday, not long after the first race at the Great Western Racecourse.

The event was axed shortly after the fire broke out.

The CFA on Monday confirmed a car with a hot catalytic converter parked on straaw laid down on the ground and triggered the inferno.

It has been suggested by patrons that the straw was laid down to prevent any potential dust storms from making patrons uncomfortable on the day.

The Great Western races have been cancelled after a car fire sent smoke billowing into the sky.

Approximately 18 cars caught fire at the Great Western Racecourse.

Jenny Kennedy, an avid Great Western Cup racegoer, saw the smoke before a series of loud booms as fire engulfed the row of parked cars.

Burning embers picked up by light winds sparked small spot fires on the course and nearby caravan parking zone.

“We all noticed the black smoke,” Ms Kennedy told the Herald Sun.

“Then it just went boom, boom, boom, cars everywhere going up and people racing out trying to move their cars (and) people yelling at them to get out of their cars.”

The third row of cars in the general parking section bore the brunt of the damage.

“Pretty frightening because people are racing (trying to get to their cars) and people saying ‘get out of there, it’s only a car’,” Ms Kennedy said.

“When the course caught fire that’s when everyone really panicked.”

The aftermath of Great Western fire. Picture: CFA.

Light winds fuelled the grass fire.

Two water bombers tackled the fire from above, with at least 20 fire trucks also on scene.

Fire crews had the blaze under control by 2.30pm.

Jockey Christine Puls praised quick-thinking stewards and officials for the safe and rapid evacuation of the horses.

Riders were behind the barriers waiting to be loaded for Race 2 when the smoke appeared in the distance.

“The smoke went from white to black really, really quickly,” Puls said.

“Decisions were made very quickly… from where we were we didn’t actually know how many cars or anything… whether it was in the (horse) float parking or public.

Pomonal CFA were called to fight the blaze.

Smouldering car wrecks after fire tore through the Great Western racecourse.

“They sent us all back so we could get the welfare of the horses out of the way and participants.

“We were very fortunate the wind was going the right way.

“If it had been going the other way it would’ve gone straight through horse stalls and the public area.”

Racegoers were moved to the middle of the course for safety as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

“People were great, everyone jumped in ‘what do you need, what do you need?’ helping each other hook up (caravans),” Ms Kennedy said.

Thick plumes of smoke in the carpark.

Firefighters rushed to the scene.

“I’d say some local crop people got in their planes and dumped some water first on the car area and then went out on the course.”

All horses at the meeting were evacuated first and safely.

“You wouldn’t believe how quickly the horses were put on the floats and left, they were first on,” Ms Kennedy said.

Racing Victoria confirmed the meet at Great Western had been called off in a tweet, after only one race had been run.

“The Great Western race meeting has been called off after Race 1 due to a car fire near the racecourse,” the tweet read.

“CFA are on the scene. No current reports of injuries.

“All horses, participants and patrons are safe.”

Racegoers look on as firefighters battle the inferno.

Patrons were evacuated after the fire erupted after the first race.

Great Western Racing Club (GWRC) manager Penny Penfold said in a statement no damage was done to the club’s infrastructure.

“There was no serious injuries or damage to the club’s infrastructure, and all participants, horses and patrons were evacuated safely,” Ms Penfold said.

“The Club, Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria would like to commend the work of racing and club officials, participants, volunteers and emergency services for managing the situation in a composed and considerate manner.”

She also thanked the racegoers who she said “remained calm” and adhered to the directions provided by club officials.

Paramedics treated a number of people at the scene but no one was transported to hospital.

The meeting was Great Western’s solitary race day for the year, with eight races scheduled and the $50,000 Cup over 1950m the feature event.

Beautox for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace took out the opening race as the $1.65 favourite.