Second death confirmed as SA bushfires continue to burn
A second person has been confirmed dead after South Australia’s day of devastating bushfires which led to 15 homes being destroyed along with other buildings and significant losses to stock and crops.
A Woodside resident battles a fire as it crosses Ridge Road at Woodside on Friday. Photo: AAP /Kelly Barnes
Premier Steven Marshall says a person died in the Charleston area of the Adelaide Hills where the most significant fire continues to burn.
It follows the death of a man in a road crash at Lameroo, which sparked a fire there while noted SA horse trainer John Glatz is in the Royal Adelaide Hospital with significant burns suffered while trying to protect his Adelaide Hills property at Woodside.
As well as the 15 homes destroyed across SA, 28 other buildings have also been lost along with 16 cars.
“My fear is this is only the tip of the iceberg. We haven’t had a chance to get back in to assess the damage,” Marshall said.
“We know that in addition to the buildings and vehicles lost there are very significant losses in terms of livestock, animals, crops, vineyards.
“It is going to be a real scene of devastation, especially for those people in the Adelaide Hills who have been most affected.”
Hills-based Kavel MP Dan Cregan said emergency assistance, including emergency grants of up to $700 for families, can be accessed through the State Emergency Relief Centre at Mt Barker High School.
“There is still a lot of debris and smoke haze on local roads and conditions around the active fire ground are unsafe,” he said.
“People have lost their homes, orchards, animals, livestock and vineyards and one person has tragically lost their life in our community… there is no doubt that the commitment and bravery of local CFS crew has saved the lives of many people in our community over the last 24 hours.”
Authorities have also confirmed that 23 firefighters and several police have suffered injuries, including one firefighter who remains in hospital in a serious condition.
Three Country Fire Service trucks were also destroyed.
Police have confirmed they are currently checking on the welfare of 90 to 100 people across the various fire grounds.
On Friday’s day of catastrophic conditions more than 100 fires broke out before midday and have since destroyed about 40,000 hectares.
The remaining fires of most concern are the blaze in the Adelaide Hills and one burning along the north coast of Kangaroo Island.
Both are uncontrolled with fire crews and water bombers working to protect assets and establish control lines.
They believe both fires will continue to burn for several days.
Watch and act warnings remain in place though Country Fire Service chief officer Mark Jones said there was always the potential for those to be upgraded to emergency level should conditions deteriorate or the fire activity escalate.
– AAP
