Plaintiffs in the Jack River bushfire class action have received final compensation payments totalling more than $8 million from power company AusNet and its vegetation management contractor BJ Murphy.

Maddens Lawyers represented more than 30 residents and property owners in the action, instigated in September 2014. AusNet and BJ Murphy agreed to split the settlement cost equally, without admitting liability for the fire on February 9 2014.

Maddens Class Action Principal Brendan Pendergast says the bushfire in Victoria’s Gippsland region burned about 5000 hectares between Jack River and Madalya after trees came into contact with a power line.