The Gurdies bushfire: Residents to take shelter immediately

Residents of a small Victorian township have been instructed to take shelter immediately as a bushfire continues to spread.

A bushfire southeast of Melbourne is threatening houses and lives, with residents instructed to take shelter immediately.

An emergency warning was issued for the townships of St Helier, The Gurdies, and Woodleigh on the Bass Coast, with the bushfire travelling in an easterly direction towards Gurdies Street, Helier Road, and Stewart Road.

The emergency warning has stated it is too late for residents to leave, with instructions to take shelter now.

Almost 40 emergency vehicles, such as the CFA, are working to control a bushfire at The Gurdies on Victoria’s Bass Coast. Picture: Matt Male

Emergency services have been working to slow the spread of the fire since Thursday.

It is understood fire resources from the surrounding region including Koo Wee Rup, Tooradin, and San Remo have arrived to fight the blaze, with some trucks coming as far as Officer and Springvale.

Resources and support is available at the Grantville Transaction Centre on the Bass Highway.