Reports of looting in town near Bangor bushfire

Reports of looting have surfaced as residents in South Australia’s Mid North continue to live under the threat of the giant Bangor bushfire.

The fire is has been burning for 16 days and locals fear what is coming next with extreme heat forecast from tomorrow until next Tuesday.

Some residents of Napperby have lived in the town for more than 40 years, but said they have never experienced a bushfire quite like this.

“The noise, you could hear the force of it coming through, something you wouldn’t want to live through,” local Jamie MacDonald said.

The fire has so far burnt out 22,000 hectares.

It has come close to homes after destroying several others in neighbouring towns and despite cooler conditions overnight, firefighters are still putting out hotspots on the edge of town.

Scorching temperatures are now forecast for South Australia from tomorrow until next Tuesday.

Locals said this time they will be less complacent – with many keeping their vehicles packed in case they have to evacuate.

“It doesn’t take much if the winds come in the right direction, it will go off like a blooming rocket,” local Bob Ward said.

Reports of looting in the area have made matters even worse.

“You’ve got other people driving around taking advantage, I mean, it’s pretty low," Mr MacDonald said.

Locals say they are ready to defend their properties if the need arises.

“We’ve made sure all our water tanks and fire hoses are set up,” Mr MacDonald said.