CFA firefighters are continuing to black out a suspicious blaze in a factory packing yard at Red Cliffs near Mildura this morning.
Fourteen CFA crews attended the Laurel Street address at about 5.15am to find empty boxes on fire in a packing shed.
District 18 Operations Officer Ron Shiner said the boxes, used to store dried fruit, were stacked about 10 metres high in an area of 30x20 metres.
“We estimate there may have been between 800 to 1000 empty boxes stacked in the shed,” Mr Shiner said.
“Crews did a great job and managed to contain the fire to the boxes and there was no threat to the factory or surrounding assets,” he said.
“A number of residents living adjacent to the fire were evacuated due to radiant heat and falling embers but thankfully their house was not impacted.”
There was also heavy smoke in the area and as a precaution an Advice Message was issued for people to avoid the area.
“Firefighters will remain on scene for some time blacking out and are using the factory’s forklifts to pull apart the boxes.”
The cause of the fire was believed to be suspicious and CFA is working with police.
The incident was under control by 6.40am.
Author: CFA News