A fierce grassfire is burning out of control and threatening communities in Victoria's south-west, with unconfirmed reports of property losses
VICTORIA has been further hit by bushfires as a string of grassfires blazed across the state.
Up to 12 properties were feared destroyed in the most devastating fire, at Dereel, about 80km northwest of Geelong, after a blaze ignited at 11.34am yesterday and grew from 150ha to 1300ha in a few hours.
While the cause was unknown, Victoria Police spokeswoman Belinda Batty said the fire would be subject to a police probe.
"It's a possibility (that it's suspicious)," she said.
"The cause is not yet determined so we will be investigating."
The fire front swept across the 700-strong township, attracting a CFA strike team of more than 35 fire trucks and two aircraft.
At least four firefighters and one resident were injured, with paramedics reportedly treating more sufferers on the ground.
A house damaged by the fire in Dereel. Picture: Jon Hargest
Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said the firefighters suffered airway burns while battling the Dereel blaze.
He said the firefighters were transferred to Ballarat Base Hospital.
CFA chief officer Euan Ferguson said the volunteer members were expected to be released overnight.
He said they were injured when their vehicle collided with a tree in thick smoke.
Mr Ferguson commended them for their quick-thinking actions to take shelter in their vehicle as the fire burnt around them.
An evacuation centre established in Rokewood was moved to the Linton Recreation Reserve in Linton as the fire chewed through the battered country.
Embattled emergency services workers had more than one fire zone to conquer, with resources fighting a score of fires sprinkled across Officer, Mirboo, Derrinallum and Lismore.
Police from Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh were deployed to the major Dereel fire to help with evacuations.
Meanwhile, authorities were also bracing for forecast wind changes affecting a secondary fire in Dereel, with fears the blaze could affect Rokewood, Warrambine, Barunah Park and Barunah Plains.
Fire broke out 2km from Robyn Miles' Ferrers Rd home.
The Dereel local was stuck at the evacuation centre overnight after police blocked access to her street.
"It did scare me today, it's the closest I've come to losing my place," Ms Miles, 54, said.
Dereel fire in progress. Picture: Channel 9
"I didn't even know about it until my neighbour told me. I couldn't see or smell any smoke."
She said there were rumours a dozen homes were destroyed by the blaze. "If we find out it was arson ... " she said.
Ruth Uren, 67, said locals would want to rebuild.
"It's quite a bad fire for the area. It definitely took everybody by surprise but we're a strong community," Ms Uren said.
In the state's southeast, a grassfire raging through Officer, about 50km from Melbourne's CBD, expanded to 90ha, threatening Rythdale to Dalmore East and Cardinia.
It came as a 141ha blaze in Derrinallum was brought under control.
A fast-moving fire had threatened the communities of Hallston, Dickies Hill Junction, Allambee South and Berrys
Creek in the state's east.
The fire had burnt out 312ha.
Local resident Ruth Uren at a burnt-out house in Dereel. Picture: Hargest Jon
Local Dereel resident Robyn Miles talks about the bushfire. Picture: Hargest Jon
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