This study investigated the effect of elevated temperature on the mechanical, physical and durability properties of normal strength concrete, modified with bentonite. The bentonite concrete was cast by substituting cement with bentonite content in proportions of 5, 10 and 15% by weight. Mechanical tests were conducted (compressive and splitting tensile strength). Furthermore, durability performance (mass loss and sorptivity) and specimen properties (elastic modulus, stress–strain behaviour, ductility and energy absorption) were evaluated and discussed. The results demonstrated that samples incorporating bentonite showed better fire endurance than the control mix. The inclusion of bentonite in concrete decreased the mass loss of the specimens exposed to high temperatures. The performance of bentonite concrete was better in terms of mechanical behaviour (compressive and tensile strength) than that of conventional concrete, and it had high resistance to water absorption. Higher ductility and energy absorption capacity were observed for the concrete specimen containing bentonite than its counterpart control specimens.