FIRE investigators are at the scene of a Broomfield car junkyard that was mostly destroyed by a fire started by a whipper snipper on Tuesday.
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Ten CFA crews battled a blaze at a private property on Wrigleys Road, north of Creswick, for several hours after being called to the scene at 4.15pm and managed to contain the fire to one hectare.
CFA Western District 15 regional duty officer Gavin Hope said the fire started when the owner of the home refuelled an overheated whipper snipper.
A "large number" of cars and parts were burnt and destroyed.
"The man tried to refuel but it blew up in his face and started a grass and scrub fire which spread to the old cars," Mr Hope said.
Several explosions were heard from within the fire caused by gas, welding and LPG cylinders within cars.
"Made the fire spread and harder to fight, the exploding made the fire fight longer and more difficult," Mr Hope said.
"A large amount of black smoke was given off because of the car tyres."
An excavator was used to knock down burnt trees that couldn't be reached by crews.
CFA advice was issued for 36 nearby towns and localities after thick black smoke shrouded the nearby area. Crews remained on scene until 10.30pm, six hours after the fire started.
david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au