Several passers-by whipped out their mobile phones and called for the fire brigade on Triple Zero when a tree suddenly burst into flames in the middle of Morisset's shopping district.

"I saw smoke and then flames. The fire just came out of nowhere and for no apparent reason that I could see. It just happened," witness Tony Cummins said.

The fire didn't spread and caused little damage, quickly burning itself out.

It was out when the fire brigade arrived a few minutes later.