Houses razed

By Kelly Yates
TWO homes and several sheds, cars and outdoor buildings were destroyed after a fire, allegedly caused by a man using an angle grinder, ripped through Narre Warren North last weekend.
Narre Warren Crime Investigations Unit detectives have charged a man in relation to Saturday’s grass fire, allegedly triggered by sparks from a power tool being used in Garden View Court in Narre Warren at about 1pm.
The fire spread along grassland between Robinson Road and Crawley Road before jumping Robinson Road and Harkaway Road.
An unoccupied heritage listed cottage along Aranmore Crescent was completely destroyed, while a house on Halleur Road was also lost during the blaze.
More than 200 firefighters saved 105 homes that were in the direct fire line. Craig Norrish, who owned the three bedroom heritage cottage, described the fire as racing up to the Aranmore Crescent property at an incredible speed.
“The trees began to explode and an ember flew onto the cottage and then it was alight,” he said.
“The raging heat, wind and roaring sounds were frightening.”
Narre Warren North Fire Brigade Captain Shaun Trotter told the News that 40 fire trucks and tankers and two helicopters were used to battle the fire.
“The water bombing was effective and it’s a fantastic gift from God when they turn up,” he said.
“We had Elvis for around three hours.”
Several firefighters and residents were treated with heat exhaustion and minor burns.
“It was reading 47.1 degrees in the Narre Warren North fire station, which was less than 500 metres away from the fire, so the firefighters had to battle the high temperatures and hot and strong winds,” he said.
Mr Trotter said two families were evacuated from the area.
Nine fire trucks were patrolling and blacking out the area on Monday in an effort to stop any flare-ups, according to Mr Trotter.
“The firefighters are tired, but we’re receiving help from other brigades,” he said.
184 hectares of land was damaged during the fire.
Police are warning people not to use tools, barbecues and other equipment that has the potential to start a fire on a total fire ban day.
The 40-year-old man from Kilsyth has been charged with breaching a total fire ban day and conduct endangering life and has been bailed to appear at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 21 May.