Police investigate Sunday blaze that threatened two towns

By Melissa Meehan
POLICE are investigating the cause of a fire that threatened Emerald and Avonsleigh on Sunday.
Detective Senior Constable Colin Beard said police wanted to hear from anyone who saw a white four-wheel drive on the scene at Stewart Road, Emerald just before 2pm.
“We have reports of a male in his late 40s with receding brown hair and a female,” Det Sen Const Beard said.
He said 45 minutes after the Stewart Road fire was lit another white 4WD was seen in the vicinity of Greaves Road.
“A man, described as around 60 years of age, with grey hair and a beard was seen acting suspiciously,” he said.
The incidents could be linked.
A water-bombing helicopter and 40 fire trucks were used to contain the fire.
Emerald CFA captain Paul Yandle it took crews until 5pm to contain the fire.
He said crews did a terrific job to get the fire under control in what he described as the most significant fire in the area since Black Saturday.
Despite fire warnings, Mr Yandle said resident were still not heeding the message to go early.
“Severe is still a bad day,” he said.
“People need to leave early, instead of waiting for the fire to hit and then leaving.”