At approximately 8:20am on Saturday morning (11th May), Melton Fire Brigade were paged to a reported Mulch Fire at the Recycling Centre in Ferris Road, Melton South.
On arrival, crews on Melton Pumper and Rescue were faced with a large 20m x 20m pile of mulch which was well alight. With Station Officer Craig Kneeshaw in charge, and with further appliances from Melton attending, a plan was put in place to lay hoselines from multiple hydrants into two of Melton’s Pumpers to supply handlines and ground monitors to try and douse the deep seated fire.
With all hose exhausted from Melton’s Pumpers and Pumper-Tanker, a request was made for additional Tankers and crews from surrounding brigades. A call was also sent out to the local City Council to supply excavators and water tankers to pull apart the mulch pile. Luckily, contractors were next door who gladly lent a hand with their heavy machinery to pull apart the burning materials in the meantime.
With crews rotating throughout the day through different tasks to stave off exhaustion, the last appliances to leave the incident and book back “in-station” was just after 4pm.
Appliances onscene were;
Melton – Pumper, Pumper 9, Rescue, Tanker, Pumper-Tanker, FCV, Car.
Caroline Springs – Tanker 1.
Eynesbury – Tanker.
Toolern Vale – Tanker 1.
Truganina – Tanker.
Mt Cottrell – FOV.
The Officer in Charge of this incident was Station Officer Craig Kneeshaw from Melton Fire Brigade.
Pictures by Blair Dellemijn – CFA Photographer.
Author: Blair Dellemijn