Victoria extends ethanol burner ban

Victoria will extend a ban on portable ethanol burners linked to house fires as authorities consider a national ban.

The state government enforced an interim 60-day ban on selling portable decorative ethanol burners in December, but announced on Friday it will be extended for another 30 days.

Consumer Affairs Minister Marlene Kairouz said the burners have caused at least 29 house fires and seriously injured more than 100 and she warned people to stop using ethanol-fulled burners at home immediately.