Emergency services rushed to the Geelong suburb of Leopold on Tuesday afternoon after a fire broke out in a large hay shed, sending plumes of smoke visible across the region.
Firefighters Confront Intense Blaze
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) received multiple calls just after 4:30 PM on Tuesday, reporting the structure well alight on Mollers Lane. Fire crews from Leopold and surrounding stations were immediately dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, they were met with a challenging fire involving a significant amount of stored hay, which can be particularly difficult to extinguish due to deep-seated burning.
CFA officials confirmed that at least five firefighting appliances were engaged in battling the flames. Firefighters worked strategically to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other farm buildings or vegetation in the area. The cause of the fire is not yet known and will be investigated once the scene is made safe.
Community and Property Protected
There were no reports of injuries, a relief for the local community. The primary focus for crews was to protect nearby assets and bring the fire under control. The shed was reportedly used for agricultural storage, and the loss is likely to be substantial for the property owner.
Authorities advised residents in the vicinity to keep their doors and windows closed due to the smoke drift. The incident serves as a reminder for rural property owners to ensure fire safety plans are in place, especially as materials like hay present a high fire risk.
Ongoing Investigation and Cleanup
Firefighters remained on site for several hours to fully extinguish the fire and conduct overhaul operations, ensuring no hidden hot spots remained. The scene will be examined by fire investigators in the coming days to determine the origin of the blaze.
This incident highlights the critical and rapid response of volunteer and career emergency service personnel in the Geelong region. Their efforts successfully prevented what could have been a much larger disaster, safeguarding both life and neighbouring property.
