UPDATE 12pm Tuesday, November 13
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Two children have been cautioned after admitting to lighting a fire near Stawell’s Big Hill on Monday afternoon.
The children, aged 12 and 13, came forward to Stawell Police after lighting the fire.
A CFA tanker from Great Western and two tankers from Stawell were called after 4pm on Monday to respond to a fire on Reefs Road.
“The fire was down a mine shaft, about 15 metres from the Big Hill tower in Stawell,” CFA District 16 operations officer Neville Collins said.
“The fire was confined to the mine shaft with no serious area burnt.
“Investigators had a look to determine the cause.”
Stawell Police Acting Sergeant Bryan Anderson said the children were cautioned after coming forward.
“They admitted to lighting the fire which appears to have been lit in the vicinity of a cubby-type house,” he said.
“It was deemed not to be malicious, with no damage caused.
“The fire next to their cubby house looks like it has gotten out of control. They lit the fire but had no intention to cause damage.”
Earlier 5pm Monday, November 12
Three CFA trucks are at the scene of a bushfire near Big Hill.
The call was sent out at about 4.30pm on Monday afternoon to respond to the fire on Reefs Road, Stawell.
CFA District 16 operations officer Neville Collins said trucks from Stawell and Great Western were in attendance.
“It looks like it has spread out of the site of the mine shaft,” he said.
“Fire investigators are on their way to try and figure out what happened.”
More to come.