A demolition company that began demolishing an unoccupied house at Beveridge by setting it on fire has received a $9,616 fine from EPA Victoria, after CFA firefighters raised the alarm.
The fact that the company, Mat Civil Pty Ltd, had registered the fire with the CFA as a burn-off failed to impress the Brigade. They called in EPA because the fire was burning plastics, insulation, tiles, plaster board and other building wastes, creating toxic smoke.
The fire started and stopped on 1 November 2023, when the company was ordered to put it out.
EPA Northeast Regional Manager Ben Kneebone says CFA's system for registering a burn-off is not there to create an easy way to get rid of waste.
"The house was made of materials that should not be burned deliberately, and registering a burn-off with the CFA should only be used for clearing grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation for the purpose of preparing and maintaining properties," he said.
"The illegal burning of waste can contaminate the land, nearby waterways and the air, and EPA frequently fines offenders for burning stockpiles of mixed waste."
Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA's 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution
