Fed: Fires could have been contained with first 24 hours = 2

00-00-0000
Fed: Fires could have been contained with first 24 hours = 2

That's the conclusion of an independent inquiry headed by former Commonwealth OmbudsmanRON McLEOD into the fires that killed four people in the national capital and destroyed506 homes.

Mr MCLEOD says the event was unique in the experience of Canberra residents and probablythe firefighters as well.

He says the last house lost to bushfire in suburban Canberra was back in 1952.

He says one of the lessons learned is that very serious and potentially destructivefires may threaten the city in the future -- and the Canberra community mustn't forgetit,

Mr McLEOD says the fires, started by lightning strikes, cannot be explained away asan unfortunate, unlucky or one-off event.

ACT Chief Minister JON STANHOPE will respond to the report at 1pm (AEDT).

AAP RTV sm/sw/jmt

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES ACT 2 CANBERRA