A MOUNT Gambier man whose online video of Wednesday night’s Nangwarry Football Netball Club blaze went viral has described seeing a distinct red glow as far away as Tarpeena as he travelled north.
Truck driver Luke Smith was on his way to Naracoorte when he passed through Nangwarry at the height of the fire.
Stopping only momentarily and capturing footage on his phone, Mr Smith shared his disbelief on social media as emergency services worked to control the fire.
As of late yesterday afternoon, the video had been shared almost 300 times, had 100 comments and had been sourced by multiple national media outlets.
Mr Smith said he initially expected the timber mill to be on fire as he neared Nangwarry and noted an increase in wildlife activity either side of the town he believes was triggered by smoke and noise.
“It was like a movie, I have never seen a fire that big,” Mr Smith said.
“Even across the road you could feel the heat of it.”
Mr Smith said while his video had gained plenty of online attention, he wished the incident had never occurred and hoped those responsible were caught should the fire be deemed as arson.
