The skies over Metung filled with smoke on the evening of Melbourne Cup Day as four village businesses were destroyed.

Emergency services were alerted at around 5.30pm to the fire that began on Tuesday in the buildings occupied by the popular Nautica Restaurant that overlooks the Village Green and its adjoining fish and chip shop, the Metung Bakery, and Lockwood Real Estate.

Incident controller, Johnsonville Fire Brigade captain, Chris Seymour, told the Advertiser on Wednesday that around 70 to 80 emergency service personnel, including fire fighters, police and ambulance, were in attendance with 19 CFA appliances on scene.

“We had volunteers from Metung, Johnsonville, Bairnsdale, Kalimna West, Lakes Entrance and Mossi-Tambo brigades on scene,” he said.

“It took at least four-and-a-half hours to contain the blaze.

“We also had the Traralgon BA (breathing apparatus) support filling station on scene with 26 cylinders needing to be refilled.”

While the team had packed up by about 11.30pm, Capt Seymour said police remained onsite over night, which he says is standard protocol when a fire is under investigation.

Investigators were on scene on Wednesday undergoing initial investigations with reports still to be finalised. Building surveyors will also determine the extent of demolition required.

It will be some time before the occupants will return to trading. It is a real blow for not only the four businesses but also the community of this popular holiday destination, especially with the busy summer season just around the corner.

PICTURED: Smoke billowed from the eaves of the Nautica Restaurant, its fish and chip shop, the Metung Bakery and Lockwood Real Estate on Tuesday evening.