AN INVESTIGATION is underway to determine the cause of a fire that has left a Horsham business with a $400,000 damage bill.
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Scrap metal went up in flames at Manhari Metals in Horsham about 5pm on Monday.
HOW IT UNFOLDED: See Monday’s coverage, videos and pictures here
Country Fire Authority District 17 operations officer Dale Russell estimated the fire measured about 25 metres by 25 metres by 6.45pm.
He said crews worked to reduce fuel by removing scrap metal and tyres from the fire’s direct path throughout the night.
District 17 operations officer Alfred Mason said the fire was contained by 7.30pm.
He said most crews went home about midnight.
Other firefighters stayed until 6am Tuesday to monitor the site.
Horsham Detective Brad McKenzie said police were investigating the fire’s cause.
Mr Mason said authority investigators had also been at the scene.
He said the fire engulfed a pile of about 500 cars – about a quarter of the cars in the lot.
“The owners are estimating the materials burnt were worth $400,000,” he said.
Mr Mason said there were concerns the fire would spread to Mushy’s Tyre Service, which backed onto the scrap yard.
He said the quick thinking of emergency services meant there was only superficial damage to the external factory wall.
“If they hadn’t contained it to one stack, you’re talking millions of dollars,” he said.
“The volunteer firefighters did a really good job to contain it to what it was.”
A section of the Henty Highway was closed between the Western Highway and Kenny Road until early Tuesday morning.
Mr Mason said firefighters from Ballarat, Ararat, Dimboola, Dooen, Green Lake, Jung, Laharum, Murtoa, Natimuk, Vectis, Warracknabeal and Wonwondah helped four Horsham crews.
“We needed as many tankers as possible because there was no water on site,” he said.
Mr Mason said State Emergency Service, Horsham Rural City Council and Victoria Police members were also on the scene on Monday night to provide assistance.
