As Melbourne endured the onset of a blistering heatwave, a concerning incident unfolded at St Kilda Beach where fireworks were ignited alarmingly close to unsuspecting beachgoers. The reckless display occurred around 6pm on Saturday at the St Kilda Pier, with footage capturing a group of people scrambling for safety as the pyrotechnics erupted near an ice cream truck, leaving the ground smouldering.
Beachgoers Forced to Flee as Fireworks Erupt
Witnesses reported individuals leaping out of the path of the fireworks, with some even plunging into the water to avoid potential injury. The aftermath revealed scorched beach towels, highlighting the perilous nature of the incident. Police responded swiftly, arriving within minutes to detain a man for questioning regarding the dangerous act.
Acting Superintendent Brett Coloe emphasised the heightened police vigilance along bayside beaches, stating, "We need to have a presence to make sure those crowds behave appropriately. And if they don’t, we’ll be reacting fairly swiftly." This increased attention follows recent brawls from Mordialloc to Port Melbourne that resulted in injuries. Mobile police units are being deployed to process offenders quickly, ensuring public safety during the heatwave.
Australian Open Disrupted by Scorching Conditions
The extreme heat significantly impacted the Australian Open, with Melbourne's temperature peaking at 38.5 degrees around 5.30pm on Saturday. More than 51,000 fans attended Melbourne Park, many describing the conditions as "brutal." World number one Jannik Sinner struggled with the heat before the roof was eventually closed on centre court.
One fan lamented, "Everything’s exposed, and they say, oh, sun cream up, but there’s no actual shade to go to. It was really brutal." Another added, "I’ve been sweating all day, trying to find a bit of shade to lay down. Got the spritzer going about it." Consequently, play was cancelled on outer courts including Margaret Court Arena, John Cain Arena, and Rod Laver Arena, with roofs closed and air conditioning activated for evening matches.
Statewide Heatwave Intensifies with Fire Bans
Conditions were even more severe in Victoria's north, where temperatures soared well into the 40s. In Ouyen, located five hours northwest of Melbourne, the mercury hit 43 degrees, with forecasts predicting a peak of 48 degrees on Tuesday. Local resident Nathan Grayling noted, "We’re in for over a week of over 40-degree days. Yeah, it’s something not to look forward to at the moment in the Mallee."
Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch warned of the severity, stating, "The Bureau is indicating we could see the most significant heatwave conditions we’ve seen since 2009." He added that authorities are at optimum readiness for at least the next four to five days, with enhanced preparedness likely needed for six to eight days due to the anticipated temperatures.
A total fire ban has been implemented for the Northern, North Central, North East, and East Gippsland regions. A fire near the Otways flared again, prompting a small number of residents to take shelter. In response, 74 firefighters from Canada will arrive next week to be deployed to fire grounds from Thursday.
Victorians Seek Relief Amidst Sweltering Heat
Despite the dangerous conditions, Victorians flocked to beaches to escape the heat. Beachgoer Lily Riger shared, "We set up about 10am this morning and we probably won’t leave until about 6pm tonight. It hasn’t been this busy all week. It’s been busy, but not this busy." In Footscray, hundreds gathered for a techno festival named Dangerous Goods, a title fitting the extreme weather.
The temperature did not dip below 30 degrees until midnight, with forecasts indicating it will ramp up again to reach 43 degrees later in the week. This prolonged heatwave underscores the challenges faced by residents and event organisers alike, as Melbourne swelters through one of its most intense heat events in years.
