Port Douglas blaze a mystery: Fire chief
FIRE INTRIGUE
A FIRE that broke out near the Sewage Plant access road has the Port Douglas Fire Brigade stumped.
It’s the third year in a row crews have been called to a blaze at the site, and local fire chief Ditch Vladich was at a loss to explain yesterday’s incident.
Fallen tree branches on a power line sparked last year’s fire, while deliberate arson was believed responsible in 2014.
“We have no idea what has started this one, it could have been anything,” Vladich said.
“We got Ergon to attend as we thought it could have been an issue (with power lines), but we really can’t explain what caused the fire.”
Large plumes of smoke could be seen billowing across Port Douglas just after midday yesterday, prompting a triple 0 call from a community member.
Newsport has since received numerous calls from curious readers keen to know what caused the fire.
On arrival Port Douglas Fire Brigade crews conducted a controlled burn of the site that covered around 200 square metres.
“We back burned the area given its location, and there was no threat to any property,” Vladich said.
