4.30PM
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POLICE and the Country Fire Authority are investigating the cause of the fire.
The blaze has left an estimated $400,000 damage bill.
Noon
Investigators are unsure of the cause of the blaze. Meanwhile, some unique shots were captured via drone. See more here.
7.45AM
THE road blocks at the Henty Highway have been removed.
Horsham Sergeant Chris Van Buuren said he believed the fire, in Hamilton Road, Horsham, had been extinguished.
He said fire crews were still pulling the pile apart to ensure the fire was safe.
MONDAY
8PM
FIREFIGHTERS will attempt to pull apart a stack of rubbish, including cars, in an attempt to further subdue the blaze.
Country Fire Authority District 17 operations manager Dale Russell said the fire behaviour had reduced.
It remains contained.
Mr Russell said the fire remained close to Mushy’s Tyre Service in Hamilton Road.
“It has not impacted on the shed at all,’’ he said.
“It’s a great save by the first crews there.’’
The highway remains closed as fire crews work on the blaze.
Mr Russell said the fire remained about 25 metres by 25 metres.
He said crews downwind of the blaze, to the south, would start to pull apart the stack in an attempt to reduce fuel.
Mr Russell warned that black smoke was still an issue.
“It’s a cool night with heavy air, so it will be spreading through the town,’’ he said.
He encouraged people to keep their windows and doors closed.
Mr Russell said crews would continue to work into the night.
6.45PM
MORE than 50 firefighters are helping to battle the blaze behind Mushy’s Tyre Service in Hamilton Road, Horsham.
Country Fire Authority District 17 operations manager Dale Russell said the fire had been contained to a pile of scrap metal and cars to the rear of the business.
He said tyres had been removed from the business due to the closeness of the fire.
“It’s still burning freely but in a contained area,’’ he said.
Mr Russell estimated the fire measured about 25 metres by 25 metres.
“I think it’s going to be a long night,’’ he said.
Fire brigade crews from Horsham, Dooen, Natimuk, Vectis, Green Lake, Laharum, Wonwondah and Jung are at the scene.
Mr Russell said police had blocked the road, preventing rubber neckers from coming too close.
But he warned that people nearby should still take precautions.
“There is thick black smoke billowing off at this point,’’ he said.
He advised anyone with respiratory problems in the area to close their windows.
Earlier
THE Henty Highway is closed between the Western Highway and Kenny Road, and Old Hamilton Road towards Haven, as a fire burns behind Mushy’s Tyre Service in Hamilton Road in Horsham.
Deckert Transport head mechanic Jaryd Carman was the first one to spot the fire.
Mr Carman said he stepped outside about 4.55pm and noticed the fire.
“It was only small – the flames were only a metre high in a small area,’’ he said.
By 5.40pm, he said the fire had developed and reached 40 feet into the air.
Mr Carman said the fire now looked to be threatening the tyre service.
Country Fire Authority District 17 operations manager Dale Russell said the fire was not yet under control, but was not spreading.
He said Horsham and Dooen fire brigades were on the scene.
Crews from Natimuk, Green Lake, Vectis and Wonwondah are due to arrive shortly.
Mr Russell said a smoke plume was drifting across the city.
Mail-Times photographer Paul Carracher said the service staff was madly clearing tyres out of the business and trying to evacuate people.
A pile of rubbish, including old car bodies, are on fire behind the business.
Emergency services are at the scene.
Witnesses said there were explosions at the scene, most likely from fuel tanks.
