Toogoom Rural Fire Brigade

Late this afternoon Toogoom 41 & 51 were responded to yet another fire on the beach. Called in by a local resident, it what could be only described as a callous disregard for the environment and also for the safety of residents. It is alledged that a group of people had been drinking and set a fire on the beach. Apart from the disgusting mess that the feral partygoes left behind on our pristine beach, the fire's position was that close to the vegetation on the foreshore that embers could have escaped, leading to a wildfire which would be difficult to control, and potentially destroy a number of houses in the vicintity.

The photo above is after some local residents extinguished the fire so that it was safe, and had also carted away nearly a wheelie bin load of broken glass and bottles. "The residents involved should be commended for thier civic mindedness and concern for the safety of local residents." 1st Officer Matt Murphy reported "All that was left when we arrived was to pull the remnants of the fire apart and cool it down to make if safe."

As a reminder, if you see anyone on the beach starting or maintaining a campfire, please call 000 immediately as it is the quickest way to get a unit to the scene. Apart from fires not being allowed, AT ALL, on the beach or foreshore area, it also poses a risk to property owners in the area as we have no access in a number of stretches along the foreshore to effectively control a fire. The potential for houses to be lost is quite significant.