POLICE believe batteries may have overheated and triggered a garden shed fire this morning in Rochester.

They do not believe the fire is suspicious, Senior Constable John Roberts said.

The batteries were being stored in the shed when it was fully engulfed in flames at roughly 9am.

The fire spread to a nearby tree and then damaged a chicken coup in a backyard next door. All chickens are fine.

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Flames also damaged the paint on a car, but firefighters were able to save it.

They contained the fire before it got close enough to take hold of two nearby homes, Senior Constable Roberts said.

One person was sent to Echuca Hospital with a minor arm injury.

The scene is in the hands of firefighters, who will remain for several hours.

Rochester brigade captain Luke Warren expected fire investigators to arrive today to help confirm the cause of the fire.

10.00am

A FIRE in Rochester has been brought under control.

Five CFA appliances remain at the scene.

Earlier

FIREFIGHTERS are at the scene of a fire in Rochester.

Five appliances are either on scene or en route after multiple reports of a shed fire in Hood Street.

The Advertiser understands the fire is threatening properties including one on nearby High Street.

The shed is fully ablaze.

The incident is taking place on the intersection with Lindsay Street, according to the VicEmergency App.

More to come.

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