FIREFIGHTERS drove from as far as Ballarat and Warrnambool to battle a blaze that caused damage estimated at more than $4 million to the IGA supermarket in Portland yesterday.

The fire broke out about 4.30am.

Country Fire Authority operations officer Gary Harker said it took firefighters more than two hours to control the fire, which gutted the front of the Percy Street supermarket.

A fire in Bendigo yesterday destroyed a post office and a butcher's shop.

The fire started in Boydies Butchery, in Murphy Street, Kennington, just after 7am and spread to the adjoining post office, the CFA said.