Kyneton, Carlsruhe and Malmsbury fire brigades responded to reports of smoke issuing from the recently-closed Turners Hardware store with 'reported persons trapped'.
Luckily, it was all staged as part of the brigades' skills maintenance program.
Crews were presented with multiple casualties trapped in a burning building, requiring firefighters to don breathing apparatus and search the building.
Lieutenant Gareth McIntyre, responsible for operational response, said, "It was great to have access to a building that 90 per cent of our brigade members have never been into. When you add smoke and darkness it's easy to get disorientated".
Kyneton brigade Lieutenant Greg McIntyre, who is also the brigade training officer, was enthusiastic about the opportunity for local volunteer firefighters to practise skills in a realistic and challenging environment.
"Our firefighters train and learn skills every week, and a chance like this lets us test ourselves on what we've learned so we can be ready when someone in our community needs us," Greg said.
A massive thanks goes to the Turner and Brown families and Turner Brothers Pty Ltd for allowing us to use the site. Also thanks to PRD Nationwide Kyneton for arranging permission and access.
Thanks also to Kyneton Junior Fire Brigade members for coming along to act as casualties.