BY Callum Ludwig
The combined firefighting force of the Healesville, Toolangi, Badger Creek, Yarra Glen, Dixons Creek and Coldstream brigades was required to battle a building blaze in Chum Creek on Tuesday 30 May.
An eyewitness said the flames could be seen from the house on Healesville-Kuinglake Road near Arthurs Road at about 1pm.
Toolangi CFA Captain Dawn Hargot was on the scene making sure there was a steady supply of water and said they received a pager for the structure fire from the controlling brigade Healesville.
“On the road, we heard they had requested additional trucks which meant they needed the extra help to put this out and hopefully try to save whatever we can up there,” she said.
“Once we got on scene, it was a case of organising the truck for the best delivery of water, to keep water up to the house and to keep water up to the firefighters on the ground, which is what we are doing now.”
As many as 11 emergency vehicles were on the scene of the fire, with Victoria Police helping temporarily close the road and Ambulance Victoria personnel on standby to attend to firefighters.
Ms Hargot said the bushy and steep terrain did make things difficult.
“It does to a degree, but at the same time, we’re well-practised in giving directions on how to get our resources up to speed so they can actually help,” she said.
“We received directions on the way to back our trucks up the driveway so that we have really easy access to hook trucks up.”
Trucks from supporting brigades rotated in and out to keep supplying water up the driveway of the property, with a fire salvage unit also on the scene.
The incident was deemed under control at 1.42pm with the fire investigator arriving at 1.45pm
