Homes and businesses lost as bushfire burns in South Australia
A bushfire on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula has challenged firefighters, with an unknown number of homes and businesses confirmed lost.
Dozens of firefighters were battling on the ground into Thursday night, water bombers were in the air and reinforcements from Adelaide were on the way.
The grass fire that sparked in searing heat was seen all across Port Lincoln.
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Bushfires on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula have challenged firefighters today, with an unknown number of homes and businesses confirmed lost. 9News
Residents with homes in the fire's path were told it was already too late to return, while those still in the region were told to get out.
Evacuees ordered to the foreshore were unable to do anything but wait and watch.
Parents were told not to collect their children from school as flames bore down on properties.
One fire truck broke down as the crew protected a home.
The fire began west of the city about 1.30pm before it raced south-east, as the temperature soared over 40 degrees and winds hit 80km/h.
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Residents with homes in the fire's path were told it was already too late to return, while those still in the region were told to get out. 9News
Evacuee Soloman Buckman told 9News the fire was "amazingly quick".
"I was on the way back thinking this fire was on the other side of Port Lincoln, then I got here [to the foreshore] and it cut the road off," he said.
The battle was waged by at least 84 firefighters in 26 trucks.
Country Fire Service chief officer Brett Loughlin said an unknown number of businesses and homes have been lost.
"At this point in time not able to quantify until further assessment," Loughlin said.
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The black plume of smoke spanning the city has posed a new danger because the city's waste dump is on fire.
"The main waste cells are well alight and are producing a very large column of thick, black, hazardous smoke," Loughlin said.
"This smoke is a risk to people in the area."
A cool change is expected tonight, which will assist firefighters battling the blaze.
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