A small fire broke out during the Dromana 3 Drive In’s New Year’s Eve event after a fireworks presentation, prompting an evacuation and an emergency response.
The drive-in says its fire safety plans were put into action immediately and guests were evacuated calmly as a precaution. It says there were no injuries and no damage to property.
A separate incident summary shared by the Peninsula Fire Brigades Group (PFBG) describes the incident as a grass and scrub fire adjacent to the drive-in, reported within minutes of the new year.
Evacuation after fireworks presentation
Dromana 3 Drive In says the fire started following the fireworks display that formed part of the night’s celebrations. The venue says emergency services were contacted straight away.
“Last night, during our New Year’s Eve event, a small fire started following a fireworks presentation that was part of the evenings celebration. Fire safety plans were immediately followed, and everyone was calmly evacuated as a precaution.”
The venue says the fire was contained quickly.
“The fire was contained quickly, with no injuries and no damage to property.”
CFA response and fire location
In its incident summary, the Peninsula Fire Brigades Group said multiple brigades were called “just nine minutes into the New Year” to a grass and scrub fire adjacent to the drive-in. The group said the fire was caused by authorised fireworks.
“Just nine minutes into the New Year numerous CFA Brigades within both Peninsula & Westernport Fire Brigades Groups were called to a going grass & scrub fire adjacent the Dromana 3 Drive In. The fire was caused by authorised fireworks.”
The incident summary described crews responding to an address on Nepean Highway, Dromana, referring to “McLean’s Hill” behind and adjacent to the drive-in grounds. It said the fire was moving quickly through grasslands away from the drive-in towards the Mornington Peninsula Freeway, and additional resources were called in.
The PFBG said crews were able to stop the fire before it reached the freeway, and that responding units returned to their home stations around 2.30am.
Traffic congestion as cars exited
The PFBG also reported that access for emergency vehicles was made difficult as large numbers of cars left the venue.
“Access was hindered by the 100’s of cars that were leaving the Drive In, causing a grid lock at the entrance and Nepean Highway.”
In their statement PFBG also noted that an on-duty officer from Somerville Fire Brigade and initially attempted to extinguish spot fires using portable firefighting equipment. It described access challenges due to a “dark unlit paddock” north of the property.
The resource list included multiple CFA tankers and pumpers, along with Victoria Police, a VicPol drone monitoring unit, Ambulance Victoria, and on-site event management support.
Free return tickets offered
Dromana 3 Drive In says guests who attended the event can contact the venue with booking details to receive free return tickets.
Contact Dromana 3 Drive In via: tickets@dromanadrivein.com.au
Yes, only a small fire with 17 fire trucks attending.
Multiple police units also attending multiple people having panic attacks overwhelming the main entrance with cars, making it very difficult for emergency services to gain access.
Sounds like it was totally under control complete rubbish.