Al-anwar Newspaper English news in Australia
Arson squad detectives have arrested and released an elderly man after a fire was allegedly lit in the north of Melbourne.
Alexandra Crime Investigation Unit detectives with the assistance of Arson Squad detectives and CFA investigators arrested the 71-year-old Flowerdale man.
The fire is believed to have started in the Spring Valley Rd area in Flowerdale on Tuesday at about 2.40pm before it spread into bushland.
The man has been released pending further inquiries.
“The investigation remains ongoing,” a police spokeswoman said.
It comes as hundreds of fire crews continue to battle the out-of-control blaze that ravaged more than 717ha of land.
About 350 firefighters worked through steep and inaccessible terrain overnight and were supported by 11 aircraft, including waterbombers.
A firebombing Chinook was seen regularly refilling its water supply on Barina Heights on Wednesday, more than 24 hours after the inferno begun.
It’s understood no homes have been lost and no injuries have been reported.
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said it was one of the “most significant” fires the state had seen so far this season.
“It’s not contained, it’s not under control,” he said.
“It is critical that people stay across the conditions and stay across the warnings we are pushing out at the moment.”
Mr Crisp said only one home had been “slightly damaged” on Wednesday afternoon.
He was optimistic firefighters had gained the upper hand, with the fire warning reduced to “watch and act”.
“We are literally throwing everything at this particular fire,” he said.
Mr Crisp said a severe heatwave will hit the southwest of the state over the next few days.
“We’ve got hot weather coming up,” he said.
“If you don’t need to be out in hot weather, don’t do it.”
“Stay hydrated, make sure you check in on your neighbours, check in on family and friends that everyone is doing okay.”
An emergency warning to shelter indoors was issued for residents who live near Spring Valley Rd, Carver Creek and Yea Spur Rd.
“If you have not already left, the time to safely evacuate has now passed,” it read.
“Take shelter indoors immediately. It is now too dangerous to leave.”
Lilli Stutchbury told the Herald Sun her family had decided to stay and protect her parents horse stud on Spring Valley Rd.
The blaze started about 3km away from them but spread within 1km of their property.
