Cannons Creek Neighbourhood Watch president Bill D’Oliviera was outraged when teenagers lit a bonfire so close to native bush.
By Sarah Schwager
CANNONS Creek residents and firefighters have expressed their disappointment with local youths who stoned firefighters attempting to put out a bonfire on the foreshore.
Local CFA members were called to the Cannons Creek foreshore at about 1.30am on Saturday after reports of a fire.
Devon Meadows CFA captain Tony Allan said crews arrived to find a group of teenagers had lit a big bonfire just 1.5 metres from native scrubland.
He said they were causing a ruckus and drinking alcohol.
Firefighters asked them to put the fire out but Capt Allan said the kids made even more of a mess when they attempted to put it out, spreading the fire and making it worse.
“So then we said we’d put it out. But when we went to put the fire out they started throwing rocks at us,” he said.
Cannons Creek Neighbourhood Watch president Bill D’Oliviera said, with so much protected and dry scrub along the foreshore, people needed to be extremely cautious about not lighting fires in the area.
He said the bushfire hazard was extreme and a fire could destroy many houses.
“This is a fire that could have razed Cannons Creek if it had gone up,” Mr D’Oliveira said.
There has been much concern recently from local residents about the lack of activities for kids in the coastal communities.
Capt Allan said children on the foreshore needed to be kept under control before something serious occurred.
He said in one incident he was shocked to discover an eight-year-old boy out on the street at midnight causing trouble.
Cranbourne police said the bonfire was the second reported on the night.
Torched cardboard boxes were found in the carpark behind the Pearcedale Shopping Centre early on Saturday morning.
Police warned of the danger of spreading fire, especially just for a bit of entertainment.
Anyone with information about either incident should call the Cranbourne CIU on 5991 0661.
If anyone sees a bonfire being lit they should call 000 immediately.
