Westport workers in high visibility gear mistaken for 'fire'

Motorists reported one of the big power pylons ablaze. Photo / 123RF

By Lee Scanlon

Firefighters who raced to the scene of a pylon fire near Westport this morning found the "flames" were workers clad in orange hi visibility clothing.

Westport fire chief Alan Kennedy said a motorist driving down the Fairdown Straight had called 111 and reported one of the big power pylons ablaze.

Firefighters who arrived on the scene shortly after 11am found the "flames" were two workers in high visibility vests cleaning the top of the pylon.

The "smoke" was spray from their waterblasters.

Firefighters had a bit of a chuckle with they arrived and found the "fire", Mr Kennedy said. "It was a bit of a strange one."

The pylons are about 500m from the road. The distance created the confusion, he said.

- Westport News