A FIRE in a Benalla factory yesterday caused damaged estimated at $50,000.
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CFA District 23 operations officer Ashley Mills said the fire in the D & R Henderson sawmill and factory on Yarrawonga Road started about 2pm.
Mr Mills said it was not suspicious and could have been a mechanical failure in the silo or drum dryer.
The fire spread to grass nearby and burned up to three hectares in “difficult” territory of gullies and drainage channels.
It took about 40 minutes for firefighters to control the fire and crews remained for a further two hours to ensure the fire did not restart.
“It was a great job by our predominantly volunteers.”
Mr Mills said $50,000 in damage may have been caused.
The CFA issued an alert to nearby towns Goorambat, Glenrowan and Winton because of smoke.
Mr Mills said 12 crews responded from Benalla, Wangaratta, White Gate, Chesney Vale, Goomalibee, Upotipotpon, Goorambat, Winton, Baddaginnie and Lurg.