Iconic crater precinct up in smoke

Iconic crater precinct up in smoke

Mount Gambier residents woke early on Tuesday to find the iconic Lakes precinct ablaze, with flames tearing through the western edge of the area.

The fire was reported just off a walking trail near the Centenary Tower just before 2.30am, with MFS and CFS crews from across the district called in, along with National Parks staff.

More than 20 crews had to tackle difficult terrain and thick vegetation both on the western rim of the crater as well as down the slopes into the Valley Lakes.

They spent all of Tuesday and Wednesday battling the flames, as well as backburning and mopping up the scene.

Falling trees also posed a danger for crews on the fireground.

The fire burned through more than 60ha of the area, as the entire Valley Lakes precinct, Blue Lake Public Golf Links and Carinya Gardens cemetery were closed as a precaution, as were roads in the vicinity.

The blaze burned down to the roadways within the Valley Lakes and is expected to smoulder for up to a week within containment lines.

In a first for the region, the Green Triangle Fire Alliance chopper was sent to the region and filled up a bucket from the Valley Lake to douse the flames, working in conjunction with local fire bomber crews.

The aerial attack had to be temporarily suspended after a recreational drone was spotted over the fireground.

Emergency services scoured the immediate area for the drone’s pilot, before the bombers and helicopters were reinstated.

Three firefighters were taken to Mount Gambier Hospital for treatment for heat exhaustion, but were released after being rehydrated.

The fire was spotted by Mount Gambier man Ben Sparrow as he drove to work at a Mount Schank dairy just after 2am.

“I drive past the Blue Lake every morning about 2am and I was heading around the lake and saw a flicker of yellow flames on the Blue Lake side,” he said.

“I looked at it and thought ‘why is that yellow’, put the car in reverse and then saw the flames.

“I thought ah shit the Mount is on fire so I rang 000 straight away and said it was at Centenary tower.

“It was not til later that I was at work and could start seeing flames with my phone’s camera that I realised the other side of the Mount was on fire too.”

The cause of the fire is being investigated and anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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