Despite a chaotic day of weather threatening to derail one of the city’s most beloved spectacles, 2018’s Australia Day fireworks display at Lake Wendouree again went off with a bang.
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Thousands gathered to view the spectacle just hours after a natural lighting show lit up the sky.
A wild storm rolled through the region about 4pm, prompting a spike in calls to emergency services as several fires broke out including near electronic music festival Rainbow Serpent in Lexton.
Authorities had issued a watch and act alert for residents in Amphitheatre, Chute, Lexton and Mount Lonarch following reports of the blaze about 3.45pm along Jack Smiths Lane, which is close to the festival’s campsite.
SEE THE FIREWORKS HERE
Police were already at the festival as fire crews travelled to the scene, bringing the fire under control about 4.30pm.
Meanwhile homes across the city were also among the victims of the inclement weather, with multiple reports of flooding, property damage and fallen trees keeping the SES busy.
A fire also emerged in Waubra, which which was swiftly brought under control.
Thousands of residents across Ballarat were also left without power at points throughout the afternoon as the storm rolled across the city.
The rain did throw the spectacle in doubt earlier in the afternoon as more than 25 millimetres of rain fell on Ballarat in about half an hour.
But by just after 9pm any fears had subsided as the weather cleared and the cracking of fireworks rang out across Ballarat, with a new and improved multi-level pyrotechnics display filling the sky with vibrant colours.
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