Vic handyman not guilty of sparking fire

A Melbourne handyman who sparked a 2000 hectare blaze with an angle grinder has been found not guilty of recklessly causing a bushfire.

Michael Jee was cutting a cable on a roadside barrier during a heatwave in February 2013 when sparks spewing from his machinery started a fire in nearby dry grass.

He was unable to stamp out the blaze.

During his trial in the Victorian County Court, his lawyer, Megan Casey, told the jury Jee's actions had started the fire but were not reckless.

"There's a difference between causing a bushfire and causing one recklessly," she said.

A jury found he was not guilty of the offence.