St Arnaud hay shed fire raging out of control

Thousands of hay bales have gone up in flames at a massive shed fire in central Victoria, with the blaze expected to burn for days.

Fire brigades have rushed to the scene of a massive hay shed fire at St Arnaud. Picture: Golden Square Fire Brigade/Facebook

Dozens of fire trucks are battling a large shed fire that destroyed 8000 large hay bales in the state’s west.

Emergency services were called to the blaze at a hay shed and fodder processing plant on the corner of Charlton-St Arnaud and Prestwood roads at St Arnaud, about 100km west of Bendigo, just after 7am on Sunday.

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The fire began inside a 150 by 50 metre shed, which was filled with around 8000 large square bales, before it spread to a nearby production shed.

Twenty-five fire trucks were called to the blaze, which has not yet been deemed under control. The fire is expected to burn for several days.

Just learnt that our local brand new #gilmac hay plant in St Arnaud is currently burning!!! Processing plant and hayshed now currently fully involved!!!🤬🤬 pic.twitter.com/ivqxeMBM9M

— David Manifold (@aussiemagnum) April 10, 2021

A warning was issued for communities at St Arnaud, St Arnaud East, St Arnaud North, Moolerr, Slaty Creek and Sutherland.

“There is currently no threat to the community, but you should continue to stay informed and monitor conditions,” the emergency alert read.

“Smoke will be visible from nearby roads and communities.”

Locals are urged to close windows and doors and turn off all heating and cooling systems.

No one was injured in the fire, but a CFA rehab unit has been established on scene to help onsite crew.

“We’re pretty happy with the current situation. We’re waiting for an excavator to come and will likely declare it under control around midday,” CFA commander Ian Morley said.

State Duty Officer Peter Lucas said crews were swift to escalate their request for assistance following the initial reports.

“Very early on, we asked for 20 tankers and FRV assisted with some specialist equipment on top of that from as far away as Bendigo,” Mr Lucas said.

“That’s what CFA does, we scale up to get as many resources on the road as quickly as we can.”

The cause remains unknown however it is not being treated as suspicious.

Fire investigators are expected to attend the scene on Sunday.