Authorities in Victoria are investigating a deliberately lit grassfire in a Bendigo suburb, an act they have labelled as suspicious amidst the state's ongoing bushfire disaster.
Suspicious Blaze in Golden Square
Emergency services rushed to the Bendigo suburb of Golden Square on Tuesday evening after reports of a grassfire near the intersection of Chum and Ophir Streets. The fire, which ignited around 5:45pm, quickly grew to cover an area of 750 square metres before crews managed to bring it under control.
Victoria Police confirmed investigators believe the fire was deliberately lit, though their inquiries into the exact cause remain ongoing. Fortunately, the swift response prevented damage to nearby buildings and no injuries were reported.
Detectives are now appealing to the public for any information or security footage that may show suspicious activity in the area at the time the fire started.
Statewide Fire Toll and a Glimmer of Hope
This incident comes as Victoria receives a brief respite from the most severe fire conditions, with no emergency warnings currently in place across the state. However, the firefighting effort is far from over, with ten Watch and Act alerts remaining active as of Tuesday evening.
The recent bushfire disasters have left a devastating mark. Official figures reveal more than 500 structures have been lost, including at least 180 family homes. The fires have scorched over 404,000 hectares of land, and the toll on agriculture is severe, with livestock losses estimated at 16,500 animals.
Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch offered cautious optimism, noting conditions have abated for now. "We expect that to remain the case at least for a couple of days," he told reporters in Alexandra. However, he warned that many fires still have "huge, huge footprints" and could easily become active again with a change in conditions.
$15 Million Recovery Package Announced
As a statewide bushfire appeal launched, Premier Jacinta Allan announced a $15 million recovery package to kickstart the clean-up process. The announcement followed a community meeting in Alexandra where residents voiced frustrations over issues including CFA support and emergency fodder.
The recovery funds are allocated as follows:
- $10 million to assist uninsured and underinsured Victorians with the removal of damaged structures and hazardous materials.
- $5 million to waive waste levies in eligible local government areas and fully cover landfill gate fees for operators.
Premier Allan stated this new support, building on previously announced measures, would help communities on what will be a "long" rebuilding journey ahead.
