Friday, Oct 16, 2009 at 16:39
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/fire-crews-battle-second-factory-blaze-20091016-h04c.html
Emergency fire roller doors saved millions of dollars worth of stock from a fire that ripped through a car parts factory in
Brisbane's north today.
But the blaze, which ignited in a polishing room where four-wheel drive parts are prepared for sale, caused $5 million damage to offices and the workroom in the factory on Robinson Road East at Geebung.
TJM factory workers casually walked from the building when the fire alarm sounded about 10am for what they thought was a standard fire drill.
But plumes of thick black smoke billowing from the manufacturing plant soon revealed the extent of the emergency.
TJM national sales manager Don Shewring said the fire engulfed the polishing room and surrounding offices inside the plant, but roller doors which came down in response to the fire stopped the blaze from spreading to the rest of the building, where millions of dollars of stock is held.
Workers in the polishing room had tried to douse the flames with fire extinguishers, but were unsuccessful.
They emerged from the burning building shaken and covered in polish, but not injured.
"Fire doors on the left and right came down and saved all of our stock in our warehouses and our research and development facility," Mr Shewring said.
"We haven't got access to our offices yet but I'm pretty certain that they will be toast."
The 120 staff at the 37-year-old
Brisbane business had practised a fire drill just several weeks ago, Mr Shewring said.
"We had what we thought was another fire drill so we all sauntered into the
carpark and left our keys, wallets, everything, on our desks."
He said sparks from grinding equipment ignited aluminium materials in the plant's polishing room, where four-wheel-drive bullbars were prepared for sale.
"I don't think the fumes were highly toxic because most the materials in the building were aluminium steel,'' he said.
"But once aluminium gets under temperature it burns very hot and very fast."
Police declared an emergency situation and created an exclusion zone around the factory, with smoke visible as far south as the
Gateway Bridge.
Local roads have since been reopened but firefighters remain at the scene after wresting control of the blaze about midday.
Bilsen Road between Prichard and Robinson roads remains closed and
police have advised motorists to avoid the area if possible.
"There will probably be smoke damage throughout everything. We will have some problems but they will be all logistical.
Shocked workers sought reprieve from the heat and gusty winds under an awning, with sandwiches in hand courtesy of a nearby snackbar, while firefighters brought the blaze under control.
Fire crews were dousing embers by 1pm when Mr Shewring and the building's managers were allowed to inspect the damage.
Early this morning firefighters were called to a fire that engulfed a chemical factory at the Port of
Brisbane.
The fire was extinguished within an hour but firefighters established a 30 metre exclusion zone around the premises once they discovered stores of polystyrene inside.
AnswerID:
387379