Vic: Fish oil factory blaze causes $500,000

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2010
Vic: Fish oil factory blaze causes $500,000

MELBOURNE, April 9 AAP - A blaze at a fish oil factory in Melbourne's west that caused
about $500,000 damage is thought to have started by heated fish oil residue spontaneously
igniting.

Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) crews were called to the Nu Mega Ingredients factory
at Pinnacle Road, Altona North at about 6.30pm (AEST) on Thursday to find flames in the
roof.

It took 50 firefighters more than 30 minutes to bring the fire, which was confined
to a waste storage area, under control.

MFB Commander Bob Undy told AAP the fire appeared to have been caused by carbon clay
fish oil residue overheating.

"We believe it's most likely spontaneously ignited," he said.

The MFB blocked waste water from seeping into storm water due to environmental concerns
and the Environment Protection Authority will inspect the area on Friday.

AAP ees/goc/

KEYWORD: FIRE VIC

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