A ferocious fire has ripped through a Victorian caravan park.
People staying at the Midland Holiday Park near Benalla in the north-east of the state were evacuated as the fire took hold. No injuries were reported, although four people – two women and a man in their ‘60s and a man in his ‘50s – were emotionally distressed and needed to be checked out by paramedics.
The Border Mail newspaper reports that three-quarters of the property was affected by the blaze. It is believed the fire started in a caravan and then spread quickly to a further six caravans and annexes.
A Country Fire Authority (CFA) spokesman said 48 firefighters from 12 brigades were brought in to fight the fire and to protect adjacent structures.
The Border Mail says there were reports of gas bottles exploding, but it is unclear if it caused the fire or whether bottles exploded in the fire. The CFA says that although the cause off the fire is unknown, it is not believed to be suspicious. Fire investigators are now on the scene.
The Midland Caravan Park is situated near Lake Nillahcootie and is about two hours from Melbourne. It has cabins, as well as powered and unpowered sites for touring caravans and motorhomes. It remains open for business.
Are you staying at the Midland Holiday Park? Have you stayed there in the past? Comment below.
Hope all goes well for the tenants
I can understand why some owners were emotionally distressed – sometimes their entire worldly possessions are inside those vans. When I hit the road full time, that will be the case with me. Fires in caravans are not uncommon, and this disaster is another reminder to take all necessary precautions, including extinguishers and fire blankets.
I would feel the same way if my caravans would have been damaged in the fire. Because when I travel in the caravans, I too carry all my stuff with me.