Original: The fire broke out at about 4:30 pm on the afternoon of 7 February, and burned through Long Gully and Eaglehawk, coming within  of central Bendigo, before it was brought under control late on 8 February.
Simplified: The fire started at about 4.30pm on February 7, and burned through Long Gully and Eaglehawk. It got to  of central Bendigo, before it was brought under control late on February 8.