A crime scene has been established after a fire engulfed a plastics factory in Melbourne’s south-east, sending a plume of toxic smoke into surrounding suburbs.
A police officer raised the alarm when he noticed smoke coming from the Olive Grove building while patrolling at 5.10am on Wednesday morning.
Fire crews extinguished the blaze but not before “significant damage” was caused to the unoccupied single-storey premises, according to Victoria police.
A crime scene has been established and motorists were being asked to avoid the area.
Police said the cause of the fire was yet to be determined and fire investigators would attend the scene.
JUST IN: Vision of the factory fire this morning before firefighters arrived. It was a huge blaze which ripped through the plastic factory in Keysborough incredibly quickly. Advice warning in place for residents nearby, traffic still moving on the Dandenong bypass @sunriseon7 pic.twitter.com/XR2yKG0OuU
— Teegan Dolling (@tdolling) February 7, 2023
Paul Foster, an assistant chief fire officer, said the fire was well developed by the time firefighters arrived.
The large plume of smoke emitted from the fire heading towards the northwest was of greatest concern, Foster said.
“We want to reduce that smoke because all smoke is toxic,” Foster said, adding the burning plastic makes the smoke “a lot blacker.”
Fire Rescue Victoria issued a watch and act notice to the community as the smoke plume descends.
People within 2km of the Keysborough factory were warned to stay indoors.
The watch and act message advised the residents of Dandenong, Dandenong South and Keysborough to close their doors and windows, turn off their heating and cooling systems, and close fireplaces and vents.
Foster said Fire Rescue Victoria were also working closely with Melbourne Water and the Environmental Protection Agency.
“There is a creek close by so we’re working to contain our water runoff,” Foster said.
Thirty-eight vehicles responded to the fire, which was brought under control just before 7.45am.
Foster said the large amount of plastic onsite had been a challenge for firefighters, but aerial equipment was used so they didn’t have to go too near the factory and risk the danger of wall collapse.
Workers at other local factories in the industrial area have not been able to access their premises but Foster said they will be allowed in gradually later Wednesday morning as the situation allows.
Chandler Road in Keysborough was closed in both directions.
The fire was the second major blaze for Melbourne’s south-east this week after the Bright Moon Buddhist Temple in Springvale was gutted on Sunday night.
