The remains of a tree, which snapped and fell on to power lines two years ago sparking the Mickleham Kilmore bushfire, has fallen across Mickleham Road.
The 100-year-old gum tree in the middle of The Avenue of Honour in Mickleham snapped on a 40-degree day and fell onto a 66,000-volt power line.
It’s fall ignited a bushfire that torched more than 22,000 hectares on February 9, destroying more than 20 properties and killing thousands of sheep and cattle.
Fran Cleland and her husband Reg’s house in Mickleham was among those destroyed that day.
Their home of 24 years, seven horses and an alpaca were lost to the fire that ripped through Mickleham before moving on to Darraweit Guim, Chintin and Kilmore.
The Clelends have since moved to Kilmore, but former neighbours called this afternoon to notify them the remainder of the tree had fallen.
The pair jumped in their car to see the sight for themselves.
Ms Clelend said the huge tree fell right across Mickleham Road.
“That tree set fire to the entire area.
“I lost a 40 square house and all that was in it, a magnificent 25-year-old garden, fencing, cars and precious horses and one totally precious alpaca, a dear sweet harmless creature that suffered terribly.
“And now this, someone could have easily been killed as this tree fell across the road.”
Painful memories
She said the tree’s fall had revived painful memories.
“I’ve been quite bitter that that tree could do so much damage.”
Ms Cleland said that the tree was still there because of a dispute over whose responsibility it was to remove it.
She believed that Vicroads was actually due to send a crew to cut down and mulch it this week.
The Craigieburn SES unit had been sent to the scene.
Class action
About 150 people have joined a $50 million lawsuit against AusNet Services, which owned the power line, alleging the company did not follow its bushfire mitigation plan when the tree snapped and fell.
Lawyer Brenden Pendergast said the class action is underpinned by expert reports that the tree is hazardous and was responsible for the fire.
A directions hearing for a class action is due to begin in the Supreme Court of Victoria tomorrow.
MORE TO COME
