Sydney (dpa) - An Australian firefighter accidentally sparked a major bushfire during a safety briefing aimed at demonstrating how quickly fuel can burn, authorities said Thursday.
The incident took place on Wednesday in a recreation reserve in the south-eastern state of Victoria when a member of the Country Fire Association (CFA) took a cigarette lighter to long grass to demonstrate how quickly flammable material burns.
He proved his point as it sparked a dangerous bushfire which threatened to burn down the town of Balmoral, home to about 300 people, caused the evacuation of a nursing home and the lockdown of the local school.
"Individuals are very embarrassed today and we do apologize to the Balmoral community for what happened yesterday," CFA's deputy chief Alen Slijepcevic told local radio 3AW on Thursday.
He said the firefighter behind the "unfortunate" incident was an experienced member and "he ignited to show how flammable the fuel is" during the training session on the dangers of grass fires.
"He is obviously very embarrassed and very concerned about what could have happened in the circumstances," Slijepcevic said.
A total fire ban had been declared on Wednesday for the whole area which lies about 350 kilometres north-west of the state capital of Melbourne, as the temperatures rose above 40 degrees Celsius.
By Wednesday evening the fire was under control after the efforts of ground crews, fire trucks and several aircraft.
There was no significant property damage, Slijepcevic said, adding that an independent investigation was under way.
The member has not been stood down, he said.
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