Vic: Hunt steps up for arsonists as firefighters suffer burns

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-2006
Vic: Hunt steps up for arsonists as firefighters suffer burns

The arson squad has intensified its hunt for arsonists .. believed responsible for
a bushfire which caused the death of a volunteer firefighter this week.

Victoria Police have eliminated teenage suspects who were seen near the Cooper Creek
blaze on Thursday.

The fire has destroyed 11 homes ... 58 barns and sheds and a school camp .. and resulted
in DONALD DOSSER'S death.

Mr DOSSER died after being run over by a fire truck as he helped fight the fire.

Meanwhile .. a New Zealand firefighter has serious burns to his airways after he and
eight colleagues were injured as they fought a campground blaze in Victoria's north-east.





Now .. DSE crews at Coopers Creek near Walhalla are building a control line along the
south-west edge of the fire.

A DSE backburn is generating smoke in the area .. which has forced the closure of Tyers-Walhalla
Road.

Cowwarr Road is also closed.

Details on backburns and road closures are on the VicRoads website at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au.

AAP RTV jat/wz

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC (MELBOURNE)

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.