House fire at White Hill causes $200,000 damage
Plus SA Police warn of a high bushfire risk and catch up with three drivers.
Fire has caused $200,000 worth of damage to a house on Murray Bridge’s outskirts over the weekend.
Firefighters from the Country Fire Service and Metropolitan Fire Service were called to the house on the Old Princes Highway at White Hill around 1.40pm on Saturday.
They were able to stop the fire from spreading from the oldest part of the stone house and into an extension.
However, it still sustained substantial damage through the front and smoke damage throughout.
The home’s residents were able to evacuate safely.
Meanwhile, the risk of bushfire will be higher than usual in the Murraylands this summer after our wet winter, SA Police have warned.
Months of extensive rain had helped grass grow tall on roadsides and in parks and gardens, Sergeant Karen Newman said.
She urged everyone to report any suspicious behaviour in fire-prone areas by calling police on 131 444, notifying Crime Stoppers about fire-lighting on 1800 333 000 or, in case of fire, calling 000.
The fire danger season started on November 15 and will continue until April 15.
In most cases, fires cannot be lit during that time.
Extra restrictions apply to the use of Weber-style barbecues, wood-fired pizza ovens, angle grinders, welders and other equipment on total fire ban days.
- More information about what you can and can’t do: www.cfs.sa.gov.au.
- More information about preventing bushfires: www.police.sa.gov.au.
Five motorists will face court
Finally, police have rounded up five motorists for various alleged offences during the past few weeks.
A 61-year-old Murray Bridge man was reported for drink driving after allegedly returning a blood alcohol reading of 0.126 on Sunday.
He lost his licence for six months on the spot and had his car impounded for 28 days.
Another man, a 31-year-old, was arrested for allegedly riding a motorbike on Burdekin Avenue while disqualified on Saturday; police impounded the bike.
A 49-year-old White Sands woman allegedly returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.088 after being pulled over on the Karoonda Highway at Chapman Bore at 12.40pm on November 27.
She lost her licence for six months and her car was impounded.
A 50-year-old Keith man allegedly blew 0.157, more than three times the legal limit, on Adelaide Road, Murray Bridge just after nine o’clock that night.
He was disqualified from driving for 12 months on the spot.
A 50-year-old Murray Bridge man pulled over on Lohmann Street at 10.10am on November 22 was allegedly found to be unauthorised to drive.
He was directed not to drive and his BMW sedan was impounded.
All five motorists will face court.
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