By Luke Voogt
Thieves torching stolen cars on the outskirts of Geelong are putting lives, livestock and property at risk according to local firefighters.
A car fire on Peak School Road spread to nearby grass before Little River firefighters arrived to extinguish the flames, just before midnight Sunday.
Lara fire brigade first lieutenant David Love said it was lucky the flames had not spread further.
“If there had been any wind last night it had the potential to do a lot of damage,” he said.
“It’s extremely disappointing with all the fire prevention that’s been happening.”
Mr Love said crews from Lara and Little River brigades had extinguished at least a dozen car fires over recent months.
“Our biggest concern is the amount of stolen cars that have been burnt.”
Mr Love said that a grass fire started by a torched car could have “severe“ consequences, especially with dry grass and the population growth of Little River and Lara.
The Lara brigade posted a photo of the fire’s aftermath on its Facebook page Monday.
The photo shows a scorched trail leading to the car on the road.
“This car was burnt using liquid fuels such as petrol,” the post read.
“We are once again lucky that it did to take hold and if not for the good work of Little River brigade we would have been chasing a fire across some very ready-to-burn grass land.”
The early-model Holden Commodore sedan was missing its motor and front end.
“These arsonists do not give hoot about your safety or the land that they torch,” the post read.
Police said the car was most-likely stolen and urged witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Mr Love added that anyone who sees someone lighting a fire should call triple-zero immediately and take the number of the car they’re using to get away.
