Burnouts suspected of having started fire

By Monique Preston

Dec 20, 2023

Fire: Firefighters were called to a fire in a paddock at Kialla Tuesday night. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

People doing burnouts in a paddock are suspected of starting a fire on Tuesday, December 19.

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Firefighters were called to the fire at River Rd, Kialla, shortly after 11pm.

CFA District 22 commander Peter Bell said when firefighters arrived, they found an area of about 100m by 60m of crop stubble in a paddock alight.

Firefighters on eight CFA tankers and a Fire Rescue Victoria truck put out the fire, which was completely extinguished about an hour after it started.

Police were also on scene to help with traffic control in the area.

Shepparton police Sergeant Darren Wagstaff said police suspected youths doing burnouts in the paddock was the cause of the fire, with a hot car potentially sparking the stubble.

Police investigations into the fire are continuing.

Mr Bell said drivers needed to be vigilant around grass and crops as they dried out in the heat.

“Grass is very dry now and can catch fire easily,” he said.

“Have common sense when driving near dry vegetation.

“The weather is going to be getting warmer coming into Christmas and after Christmas.”