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A ferocious grass fire has left a man injured and about 20 cars torched after the blaze broke out at a racecourse in Victoria.
Patrons and horses were forced to evacuate after the grass fire engulfed cars near the Great Western Racecourse just after 1.30pm today.
Paramedics treated a man in his 40s who tripped over and cut his leg and a few others were assessed at the scene.
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https://twitter.com/RolltheDiceRace/status/1485087519033401345
Photos showed one car up in flames, with multiple others in dire straits as the fire raged nearby and thick plumes of smoke billowed into the air.
Nine Country Fire Authority (CFA) vehicles, as well as water-bombing aircraft and Fire Rescue Victoria crews, battled the blaze on Moyston-Great Western Road, about 28kms north of Ararat.
"Around 20 cars were burnt in the blaze which spread to the grass at the Great Western Racecourse," a CFA statement read.
"The fire was brought under control just before 2.30pm and crews remain on scene extinguishing the fire ensuring there are no remaining hot spots."
Racing Victoria confirmed the Great Western race meeting had been cancelled after the first race due to the blaze.
"Racing Victoria wish to advise that today's meeting at Great Western has been abandoned after Race 1 owing to a car fire within the vicinity of the racecourse," a Racing Victoria statement read.
"The CFA is managing the situation and the fire is now under control.
"All participants and horses have been evacuated, and patrons for their safety have either been evacuated or directed to muster points if their car was parked near the fire."
The cause of the fire is unknown and will be investigated.
Source: 9News
