Fire contained at Karridale’s Mindful Earth Sanctuary with man in hospital with suspected burns

Fire crews have contained a blaze at Mindful Earth Sanctuary in Karridale on Sunday that saw a man airlifted to hospital with suspected burns.

The Times understands the fire was started in a dry paddock just before 12pm, possibly sparked by a generator, and a man suffered serious burns while attempting to fight the outbreak.

Unconfirmed reports suggested the man caught fire after using a drum of ethanol he mistakenly thought was water to douse the flames.

Witnesses reported dozens of campers at the contentious Karridale site, off Moodjar Court, which was subject to legal action and restrictions last summer when the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River deemed the operators were failing to follow adequate bushfire safety and had breached camping laws.

The Times also previously reported a French woman was seriously injured last February when she fell in an unprotected hole during an unsanctioned night-time festival held at the property, which owner Boh Morel has described as a new kind of community space.

A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said 12 appliances, a helitac chopper and two fixed-wing bombers attended the fire which was deemed under control at 1.30pm.

The Times also understands Shire rangers attended due to concern about campers at the property.

The man airlifted to hospital was understood to have suffered extensive burns.

DFES labelled the incident “hazardous materials” but told the Times there was no danger to the public.

Instead, containers near the fire zone were being investigated and monitored.

DFES fire investigators were still looking into the incident which was considered to be caused accidentally.

More to come.