By Faith Macale
Several abandoned sheds in Rockbank caught fire on Sunday, February 2, sparking a grass fire stretching over seven hectares of farmland.
Rockbank CFA captain Luke Hibbins-Leece said it took six hours to bring the fire under control.
“It was approximately 5pm, our brigade was paged to a grass and scrub fire spreading down Iramoo Circuit and Paynes Road,” he said.
“Upon turning out of the station, we saw large plumes of smoke, so we escalated the call for more fire trucks.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the fire was already threatening all enclosures, and nearly threatening properties (around the area).”
Mr Hibbins-Leece said the fire’s point of origin was several outbuildings and old sheds.
One of the old sheds was said to be filled with hay, and some were filled with discarded building materials and general waste.
The area where the fire blazed was a field adjacent to a running track for horses.
“No animals were affected,” Mr Hibbins-Leece said.
“The landowners adjacent to the property who called it in saw it and moved their horses out of the way.”
It is still unconfirmed on how the fire began.
