Blaze menaces central Queensland homes
Blaze menaces central Queensland homes
16 October 2009
published by www.abc.net.au
Australia — A fire burning in central Queensland is continuing to threaten homes but is within containment lines.
The large bushfire has been burning in the Mount Archer Range area on the outskirts of Rockhampton for several days.
It is moving to the north-west, but the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) says it is hopeful firefighters will gain control of the blaze over the weekend.
Seventeen properties are being door-knocked by police and residents are being told to prepare to evacuate if required.
Residents in New Zealand Gully were told to leave yesterday and were this morning allowed to return home.
Some local roads are still closed.
Authorities are expecting the fire to move closer to Rockhampton over the next few days.
Crews control blaze
Meanwhile, firefighters have gained control of a large blaze on the Gold Coast which has been threatening homes.
The bushfire is burning at Parkwood near the Smith Street Motorway.
Roads and rail lines were closed and the power was cut to about 1,000 homes as a precaution.
QFRS spokesman Mark Gribble says it is a severe and fast-moving blaze.
“We had six urban appliances, four rurals, two water bombers, two incident management vehicles and a couple of ambulances,” he said.
A rural firefighter was taken to hospital with burnt hands and one of his colleagues suffered smoke inhalation.
A resident has been treated for chest pains.
Mr Gibble says the blaze is under control and will be monitored through the evening.
