Two crashes at the same intersection in three hours

The first crash at Browns Road - on the southern entrance to town - happened around 9.30am Wednesday, while the second, much more serious smash was reported at 12.20pm.

Paramedics assessed a man believed to be in his 80s at the second crash - as well as a woman in her 70s.

The Hamilton-bound lane of the highway was blocked for at least an hour. Witnesses said a small amount of traffic was allowed through.

The intersection is on a sweeping bend with a long history of problems - with freshly-cut roadside grass.

The first accident involved two hatchbacks - a blue BMW with damage to the front and a dark grey Mazda.

Two police crews attended.

Witnesses said the next crash less than three hours later saw a white hatchback - believed to be a Toyota Yaris - collided head-on with a white Ford Falcon sedan.

At least three CFA trucks turned up, as well as police and paramedics.

A man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s were assessed at the scene but did not need emergency transport to hospital, an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said.

"That's the sixth or so accident I've seen at that corner in 10 years," Smythesdale man Dean Chapman said.

"They really need to do something with that corner.

"What drivers are supposed to do there is a bit confusing - especially if you are turning off Browns Road.

"Where you are supposed to go and what you are supposed to do needs to be more defined.

"That intersection needs a clear way in and a clear way out."

Browns Road is a common shortcut to the Enfield and Berringa areas.

Mr Chapman believed Smythesdale also needed its 50kmh speed zones extended further north and south - as he said their current positions were too close to the centre of Smythesdale and did not give highway drivers enough time to slow down.

"The 50kmh sign needs to be north of Sebastopol-Smythesdale Road on the Ballarat side of town. At the moment it's right on the school crossing," he said.

"The other 50kmh sign should be south of Browns Road on the Hamilton side of town."

Mr Chapman said a roundabout at either end of Smythesdale would also slow traffic - as would a raised pedestrian crossing with lights.

"This should not be happening," he said.

"And there are near misses every day near the supermarket and around the service lanes.

"This used to be a sleepy little town, but not anymore."

Also on Wednesday, one person was taken to hospital after a two-car crash at the corner of Finchs Road and Carngham Road in Bunkers Hill.

Crews were called in at 11am, with reports of a person trapped.

one vehicle has crashed into a bus stop and through a fence, with serious damage seen, and a second vehicle is being examined by emergency crews.

A baby seat was seen being removed from one of the vehicles, but there was no child in the car.

Acting Sergeant Matt Goonan from Ballarat Highway Patrol said one vehicle, a Ford Ranger, was travelling north on Finchs Road, and the other vehicle, an SUV with one woman on board, was travelling east towards Ballarat.

"(The Ranger) driver said he gave way but lost sight in the trees, and he hasn't fully given way," he said.

"He'll be receiving an infringement notice, but at this stage it doesn't look like there's any serious injuries."

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson confirmed one person has been taken to hospital.

"This intersection's pretty bad, we come to collisions on this intersection pretty frequently - I'd just remind drivers to fully obey road signs, give way, and just give the extra second or two to make sure the road's clear," Acting Sergeant Goonan said.

"There's no point putting yourself or others at risk for a couple of seconds."

Police investigators attended a stolen car fire in bushland in Ballarat East.

Officers said the white Nissan Pathfinder was stolen from Bannockburn two days ago.

The CFA said the blaze was first reported at 6.54am in Pryors Park.

The blaze blackened a gumtree to a height of about 7m and burnt grass and bushes about 6m away.

The CFA said the car was found well alight.

Almost exactly the same site was used for a July 19 car fire in which a dual cab Mitsubishi ute with no numberplates was destroyed.

A man in his 50s has been treated for upper and lower body injuries after an explosion in a Wendouree caravan.

The blast was reported at 5.55pm Tuesday in Marigold Street.

On arrival firefighters wearing breathing gear found a small fire in the caravan.

The incident was under control within 11 minutes and made safe by 6.20pm.

Paramedics took the man to Grampians Health (Ballarat base) in a stable condition.

Police also attended.

Fire Rescue Victoria said local crews were called to a Bell Street Redan unit at 10.39pm Tuesday.

Firefighters said the unit was unoccupied and they used breathing apparatus toi quickly contain and extinguish the blaze.

FRV said the fire was deemed suspicious and the scene was handed over to Victoria Police.

Ambulance Victoria said they were called to the fire but no emergency treatment or transport was required.

Several people were lucky to escape injury after a smash at the corner of the Western Freeway and Forbes Road - close to the Kryal Castle turnoff)

The collision was first reported at 8.03pm.

CFA crews from Bungaree and Warrenheip attended to help clean up debris.

The incident was under control within 15 minutes and declared safe at 8.20pm

Police attended as well as paramedics, who said no emergency treatment was needed.