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SA bushfire contained

The bushfire burning north of Adelaide has been contained after killing two people and destroying more than 35 homes.

Hay burns in a paddock near Freeling.
The deadly bushfire burning north of Adelaide is closer to being contained. (AAP)

The major bushfire burning north of Adelaide has been contained.

The Country Fire Service says there is still some active fire activity but the blaze is now burning within control lines.

The fire, which was sparked on Wednesday, killed two people and five remain in hospital in a critical condition.

The blaze destroyed more than 35 homes and burnt through 82,000 hectares of cropping land, scrub and grass.

Insurance claims worth more than $61 million have already been received with the damage bill sure to go higher as assessment teams move through the area.

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As well as the homes lost, more than 160 other buildings have been destroyed along with dozens of vehicles and pieces of farm machinery.

Crop and stock losses are also expected to be significant with 50,000 chickens killed on one property.

The two people killed have been remembered as treasured members of their communities.

Allan Tiller, 69, was found dead in a paddock, while Janet Hughes, 56, was trapped in her car as she tried to reach her partner Andrew Lemmon.

Rachel Ireland, who lost her house in the fire, told the Adelaide Advertiser Mrs Hughes was "just one of those amazing people who didn't deserve what happened to her".

"I would burn this (house) again just to bring them back. She's just such a beautiful heart, beyond lovely," Mrs Ireland said.

Mr Tiller's sister-in-law Christine Tiller said he was fighting the blaze on a neighbour's property when fire closed in.

"The fire got so fierce the workmen decided he had to get out of there and he ran for his life through the flames," Mrs Tiller said.

The CFS said firefighters from Victoria would continue to monitor the blaze during the weekend after relieving local crews on Friday.

Investigations would also continue into the cause which is not thought to be suspicious.

The federal government confirmed on Friday it would share the cost of financial help for bushfire victims with the state government.

Families can receive immediate payments of up to $700 and can also access up to two weeks' emergency accommodation.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



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