Little River CFA captain Terry Hedt believes January 14 “means something to someone” after the town was threatened by a grassfire on that date for the second year in a row.
Water-bombing aircraft and 27 fire crews were called to the town last Tuesday to fight a fast-moving grassfire that threatened properties. The fire, which started at Edgars Road about 11.45 am and spread towards Bulban Road, ended up burning 113 hectares.
Firefighters took two hours to control the blaze, stopping it as it reached Bulban Road.
PICTURE GALLERY: Little River grassfire 2014
PICTURE GALLERY: Little River grassfire 2013
Mr Hedt said the fire came close to three properties on the edge of the town, forcing the CFA to issue an emergency alert to residents, advising them they were in immediate danger.
Police confirmed the fire was suspicious and said they were investigating its cause.
A spokeswoman said police would examine if there were any links between the grassfire and other blazes in the town, including one that burnt 350 hectares on January 14, 2013.
Mr Hedt said this year’s blaze began two kilometres west of the 2013 fire.
“That date means something to someone,” he said. “The only difference between the fires was that this time there was a southerly wind. Last year, there was a strong northerly wind.”
Locals fear a firebug is targeting Little River, with reports that a dark ute was seen driving away from Edgars Road at the time of last week’s fire.
Last year, police appealed for public help to find the driver of a green ute seen near Bulban and Edgars roads before the fire started.
They feared an arsonist was also responsible for a grassfire on Little River-Ripley Road eight days earlier.
No one was charged over last year’s blazes.
» Information to Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000
