Large factory fire closes a Melbourne primary school


Suspicious factory fire closes a Melbourne primary school as the blaze sees toxic smoke spew across three suburbs

  • The suspicious fire at the packaging factory started about midnight Wednesday
  • The blaze was opposite South Melbourne Primary School which wasn’t damaged
  • Students and staff were told not to attend the school in Southbank on Thursday

A large factory fire has forced the closure of a Melbourne primary school and sent plumes of toxic smoke across three suburbs.

The suspicious blaze at the packaging factory, opposite South Melbourne Primary School, started just before midnight on Wednesday.

Students and staff were told not to attend the school in Southbank on Thursday.

Residents in South Melbourne, South Wharf and Southbank have been advised to take care due to the lingering heavy smoke.

Fire Rescue Victoria assistant chief fire officer Mick Tisbury said despite the school not sustaining any damage, there was still a lot of smoke.

The suspicious blaze opposite South Melbourne Primary School started just before midnight on Wednesday

The suspicious blaze opposite South Melbourne Primary School started just before midnight on Wednesday

Fire Rescue Victoria assistant chief fire officer Mick Tisbury said despite the school not sustaining any damage, there was still a lot of smoke

Fire Rescue Victoria assistant chief fire officer Mick Tisbury said despite the school not sustaining any damage, there was still a lot of smoke 

‘There’s still a fair bit of smoke in the area and it’s right opposite the primary school,’ he told 3AW.

‘If you’ve got kids attending that school, don’t bring them to school today, they’ve got a day off, including the teachers and the staff as we take the health and safety of the community, especially kids, very seriously.’

The blaze was brought under control at about 2:20am after fire crews used ladder trucks to stop it from spreading.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by Victoria Police, who are treating it as suspicious.

It’s expected the streets surrounding the factory, including Ferrars and Buckhurst street, will be closed for most of Thursday as the investigations and clean up take place. 

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