Police treat fire as arson
POLICE are investigating whether another bushfire that broke out on the Tablelands at the weekend was deliberately lit.
The fire burning at Petford Station, near Herberton Petford Rd, broke out on Sunday morning and is separate to the long-burning blaze at Irvinebank, west of Watsonville.
Crews are monitoring and backburning on the southern edge of the fire in an effort to contain it. It poses no threat to property at this time, but nearby areas may be affected by a smoke haze.
Herberton Police Station officer in charge Sergeant John Sny said officers were treating the fire as suspicious.
“We’re investigating as to whether it may have been deliberately lit,” he said. “At this stage we’re just trying to track down some vehicles that were seen in the area. The fire investigators are still working on the causes of the initial fire that broke out more than two weeks ago though.”
Sgt Sny said the bushfire had been a huge test for local and interstate crew been deployed to the region.
“We’ve been out there basically daily since the start and doing some fairly long house,” he said. “We’re praying for rain. “I’ve been here five years and this is the largest I’ve known, it’s the most intense that I’ve known.”
Anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the Irvinebank (Petford Station) area on Sunday, is urged to contact Herberton police on 4096 2568 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
If you are concerned your property is under threat, call triple-0 immediately.