Tenant denies incinerator caused devastating South Australian fire

The tenant on a property where the Sampson Flat bushfire was sparked in the Adelaide Hills has rejected suggestions an incinerator was the cause of the blaze.

The man says he is devastated that people have lost their homes but says the fire broke out at the rear of a shed and got out of control because of poor vegetation management on the property before he took up residence.

"We have been here four months and we have never even used the incinerator since we have been here," the man told the Sunday Mail on the condition of anonymity.

But police say the cause of the blaze is still being investigated and the incinerator remains part of inquiries by detectives.

IN PICTURES: Adelaide scarred by bushfires

"We're looking at the incinerator, how it ignited in the incinerator is another aspect that we're looking at," Police Commissioner Gary Burns said.

"Detectives are talking with the home owners and obviously there will be forensic evidence that they will be looking at."

Mr Burns said there were a whole range of charges that were possible in relation to fires that were lit where bans were in force.

"Lighting fires on banned days is an offence in itself," he said.

The Sampson Flat fire continued to burn out of control on several fronts on Sunday although the Country Fire Service downgraded its warning to a watch and act advice.

Twelve homes are confirmed destroyed with fears another 20 had been lost in the blaze which has burnt through 11,500 hectares of scrub.

Twenty-two people, mostly firefighters, have suffered minor injuries.