Firefighters douse a grass fire off Lynchs Road, Illowa.
A WOOLSTHORPE panel beater was flown to The Alfred hospital yesterday with severe burns.
The 38-year-old man was working at Woolsthorpe Panel Shop on Manifold Street when a spark from a welding machine ignited a drum of paint thinners, causing his clothing to ignite about 12.45pm.
He suffered burns to his right arm, chest, right shoulder and neck and was flown to Melbourne for treatment.
WorkCover was advised of the incident.
In a separate incident, police are investigating a fire that badly damaged a $25,000 tip truck on the Woolworths Supermarket construction site in Dennington.
Neighbours raised the alarm at 3.30am yesterday after noticing flames from the 1990 Hino truck. Detective Senior Constable Gary Greene said the truck was parked behind the building, obscured from view.
“The cabin is a write-off and the rest of the truck is extensively damaged,” he said.
“CFA investigators and Warrnambool criminal investigation unit attended. It is believed to have been deliberately lit.
“Anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area should contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or Warrnambool CIU.”
Later in the day detectives and firefighters attended a small grass fire at Illowa at first thought to have been deliberately lit.
The blaze along a fenceline beside Lynchs Road was later determined to have been caused by a burn-off started by the farmer.
Reports also came in about a fire at Southern Cross yesterday which was also a controlled burn-off.
Detective Senior Constable Greene suggested property owners should notify the CFA beforehand.