A FIRE at a winery has forced fire fighters to set up a water relay to truck in water at Toolern Vale on Saturday morning.

A spokesman for the Country Fire Authority said fire fighters had used 17 vehicles “and rising” by 10am to extinguish the flames at the winery because there was too little water on site and water was being trucked in.

The fire started at a large shed at the winery on Blackhill Road, causing extensive damage to the structure. Due to large size of the building, two sectors were established, with Sam Strang, Gisborne Captain, acting as the Northern Sector Commander

Fire fighters were using breathing apparatus because of the smoke from the fire, with Gisborne supplying eight crew members, including Breathing Appartus operators, Sector Commanders and Fire Fighters. Gisborne was released from the scene shortly after 12:30.

Other crews in attendance were from Melton, Sunbury, Toolern Vale and Diggers Rest.