Arabic version: بدء تحقيق بعد تدمير حريق في ويديربورن لصهريج تابع لخدمة الإطفاء الريفية

According to ABC News, an investigation has been launched after a planned New South Wales Rural Fire Service hazard reduction burn at Wedderburn in Sydney’s south-west intensified and destroyed a fire tanker.

The burn began at 10am on Saturday after two successful test fires. At about 4pm, a sudden change in wind conditions intensified the fire. One tanker was destroyed, two others were damaged and two properties sustained minor damage.

An RFS volunteer firefighter was taken to hospital as a precaution after suffering smoke inhalation and chest pain, but has since been released. Seventeen other volunteer firefighters were assessed and cleared by paramedics. Additional resources, including two helicopters, were sent to regain control of the blaze.

RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin said crews activated emergency spray systems on the tankers after being overrun by fire. Some crews were away from their vehicles and retreated to a nearby property before undertaking firefighting operations, he said. Volunteers are receiving support from chaplains and critical incident personnel.

Commissioner Curtin said it was too early to say whether the incident could have been prevented. The safety regulator has been notified, while investigators assess the factors involved. He also warned authorities were preparing for a potentially heightened bushfire risk after the driest winter on record and confirmed strong El Niño conditions.