Bellarine grassfire under control

ABOUT 65 hectares of rural farmland along Swan Bay Road has been destroyed in a fire started by a suspected arson attack at about 2pm on Tuesday afternoon.

More than 100 firefighters were required to control the blazes, with residents located on Princess Street also fighting the fire.

The grassfire at Mannerim took just under five hours to control, with many wineries, farms and rural properties under threat.

Bellarine residents were warned to avoid the eastern Bellarine region until the out-of-control fire had been extinguished. Vic Emergency gave the all clear just prior to noon on Wednesday (yesterday).

Due to the proximity of the blaze to residential properties, locals took to Facebook in the belief the fire was deliberately lit; however, the cause is still under investigation.

There was no loss of life or stock during Tuesday’s grassfire.

Anyone with information about the fire is urged to phone Crime Stoppers confidentially on 1800 333 000.