Churchill Park fire, Endeavour Hills, 30 January 2009

A crash at the corner of Churchill Park and Power Road in Endeavour Hills sparked the bushfire that burnt 45 hectares

Video and photos by Martin Anderson, CFA Public Affairs

A crash at the corner of Churchill Park Drive and Power Road in Endeavour Hills sparked a bushfire that at one stage threatened power lines that supply two-thirds of Melbourne.

The fire, which burnt 45 hectares, was declared contained on Friday night, 30 January after CFA, MFB and Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) firefighters worked throughout the day to contain the fire.

At the height of the fire 81 fire trucks were on-scene, with 355 firefighters supported by four helicopters. Crews worked to protect major power lines on the northern side of the fire. The plan of attack on the fire also took into account the protection of a number of significant Aboriginal cultural heritage sites located within Churchill Park.

Firefighters from DSE and CFA continued to work overnight, blacking out hot spots to ensure containment lines established by late-afternoon held.

"We have every confidence that the excellent work done by CFA and DSE crews overnight will make sure that this fire will not spread and the blacking out will be largely completed prior to the weather picking up again today (Saturday 31 January)," Incident Controller Chris Hardman said.

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Produced by CFA Public Affairs