Class action launched over Vic fire

Victims of a Victorian bushfire which destroyed nine houses and injured 12 people have launched a class action against a man they say negligently started the 2013 fire.

The January 8 fire burnt 1300 hectares in Snake Valley, near Ballarat, and destroyed the historic Carngham station.

The class action is being driven by at least seven people affected by the fire.

In a writ provided to the Supreme Court of Victoria in Ballarat last week, lead plaintiff Valerie Jackson claims a local farmer, who is now deceased, ignited the fire by driving his tractor.

Family members, acting as executors for the farmer, need to respond to the writ within 10 days.