Police appeal for witnesses for suspicious Melbourne grassfire that threatened homes
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WedWednesday 13
JanJanuary 2021 at 8:34pm
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Police have released images of a man they wish to speak to as they investigate a suspicious grassfire near homes in Melbourne s north-west on Monday.
The blaze blackened the grass and damaged fences and sheds after a paddock near Rowell Place in Taylors Lakes caught fire.
About 40 people were forced to move from their homes as the fire burned.
A grassfire in Melbourne s west that saw dozens evacuated from their homes and properties damaged is being treated as suspicious with police seeking a man in relation to the blaze.
The flames burned through grassland at Taylors Lakes and Calder Park on Monday just after 3.30pm when a paddock caught fire.
Investigators have released CCTV of a man on a bicycle who they are trying to identify in the hope he may be able to assist with inquiries.
Police have released the image of a man they believe can assist with their investigation into the suspicious grassfire.(Supplied)
Local police evacuated approximately 40 people from their homes at the time of the fire due to safety concerns.
The cause of a grassfire in Taylor Lakes yesterday is under investigation.
Firefighters were called to Rowlandson Place just before 3.30pm following reports of a car fire in a paddock, which quickly spread into a fast moving grassfire.
A watch and act message was issued for Taylors Lakes and nearby suburbs as fire crews battled to control the blaze near the Calder Freeway.
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) declared the fire as under control about 5pm.
There were about 70 firefighters on the scene.
This morning, FRV said the blaze was being investigated.
“The fire was originally reported as a car fire in a paddock, however investigations into what caused the blaze are continuing.”
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Two grass fires in Melbourne s north-west have been brought under control after residents of Taylors Lakes were told to leave their nearby homes.
As temperatures peaked at 36.7 degrees in Melbourne, Fire Services Victoria were called to a car fire in a paddock at Rowlandson Place in Taylors Lakes just before 3.30pm on Monday.
An air-crane drops water to assist firefighters as they battle a grass fire in Taylors Lakes on Monday.
Credit:Luis Ascui
The fire quickly turned into a fast-moving grass fire that spread from Calder Park in a south-westerly direction towards homes in Taylors Lakes.
A watch and act warning was issued for nearby suburbs but has since been downgraded to advice level.
Melbourne reached its hottest day in a year today with temperatures rising to 38C about 5pm, causing fires to the west of the city.
Two separate grassfires threatened houses and damaged some at Calder Park in the afternoon, prompting emergency services to issue watch and act messages.
Authorities advised residents who lived near the grassland to walk at least two streets back from the fires.
Fire crews arrived at the Calder Park and Taylors Lakes grassfires about 3.30pm this afternoon.(Nine)
Emergency Services advised residents near the fire to evacuate and move at least two streets away.(Nine) If you live directly next to grassland, quickly walk two or more streets away from the fire. Grass fires are unlikely to spread past the first row of houses, Vic Emergency said in a statement.