Emergency warning issued for Shoreham bushfire south of Melbourne - ABC Local

Victorian authorities have issued an emergency warning for a bushfire at Shoreham on the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne.

Key points:

The out-of-control fire is threatening hobby farms at Shoreham
Water-bombing helicopters are being used to tackle the blaze
A watch and act warning has been issued for nearby Flinders

External Link: Vic Emergency warning for Shoreham bushfire

More than 30 fire trucks were being used to battle the blaze at Punty Lane, which is not yet under control.

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) said in an alert just before 2:00pm the bushfire was travelling in a south-easterly direction towards the Shoreham coastline and firefighters had been unable to stop the flames.

Shoreham residents were told they were in danger and needed to take shelter indoors immediately.

CFA chief officer Dan Stephens said at a press conference about 3:00pm that the fire was "in proximity" to homes.

"But the offensive actions of fire crews on scene have, at this point, alleviated any direct threat to property," he said.

Marcus Coggin, who has a nursery at Shoreham, said he could see several water-bombing helicopters being used to attack the fire, which was "fairly extensive".

"It's in a fairly dry area … heavily wooded with pine trees and very dry pastures, so I imagine it's a fairly swift-moving fire," Mr Coggin told ABC Radio Melbourne.

He said the area in the path of the fire was mostly filled with hobby farms.

Punty Lane and Tucks Road in Shoreham have been closed.

A watch and act alert was also issued for the neighbouring township of Flinders, where residents were urged to monitor conditions and prepare to leave.