A RUBBISH heap fire triggered a blaze which swept across 15 hectares near the Hume Freeway yesterday.
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Wangaratta CFA senior station officer Carl Stibilj said the owner of a property near the northbound freeway McDonald’s restaurant had been burning a rubbish heap on Thursday afternoon.
It had rekindled about 3.30pm yesterday.
The fire engulfed eight old cars sitting in a paddock of the Glenrowan Road property at Wangaratta South.
Nine tankers from Wangaratta, Glenrowan, Greta, Oxley, Taminick, Laceby and Wangaratta South tackled the flames which prompted the closure of the North East railway line for at least 30 minutes.
South-westerly winds of up to 40km/h fanned the fire, but ensured smoke was blown away from freeway traffic.
Mr Stibilj said restrictions in fire district 23 apply from 1am Monday.
“It was a legal fire but the fact it got away could make it liable for a penalty,” Mr Stibilj said.
“It’s the owner’s responsibility that it is completely extinguished.”
Police attended and are investigating the cause.
