‘Non-suspicious, likely accidental’: Cause of Julago fires unknown

Investigations into two fires which recently sparked in Julago and cut off the Bruce Hwy have been unable to identify the cause, but a search has revealed both originated from the railway corridor.

Fire engulfs an area near Julago on Wednesday, October 16, forcing police to put in safety measures. Photo: Daneka Hill.

Investigations into two fires which recently sparked in Julago and cut off the Bruce Hwy have been unable to identify the cause, but a search has revealed both originated from the railway corridor.

QFES investigators have described the suspected cause of the fires as “non-suspicious” and “likely accidental”.

According to QFES, the fires originated from a very similar area along the railway corridor.

Possible causes include thrown cigarette butts or sparks from the railway lines.

QFES ruled out the possibility of old coals from the first fire sparking the second, due to the two week gap between the grass fires.

The first fire occurred on October 16, and multiple fire crews were required to defend private properties, the rubbish dump and the Townsville Correctional Centre.

Fire crews battle a massive vegetation fire near the Bruce Highway at Julago, south of Townsville on October 16, 2024.

The October fire sparked around midday, grew to be 200m wide and jumped the Bruce Hwy.

The second fire occurred on November 1, around 2pm.

Six fire crews attended the November grass fire and extinguished the blaze by 3.40pm, reopening the highway.

Originally published as ‘Non-suspicious, likely accidental’: Cause of Julago fires unknown