By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A CHEMICAL reaction has sparked a fire at a Dandenong South abattoir overnight.
Three CFA pumpers and a hazmat unit were called to the blaze at the Australian Meat Group factory’s water treatment plant at Hammond Road about 9.30pm.
A CFA spokeswoman said the fire, which produced a large amount of “toxic smoke”, was under control within 25 minutes.
Up to 50 workers were evacuated from the site during the incident, she said.
Workers were back on site by 6am this morning.
“It appears it started as a result of a chemical reaction between two 1000-litre chemical drums where a leak had occurred.”
She said a scientific officer helped to formulate a plan to extinguish the blaze and to stop toxic runoff from flowing into nearby creeks.
No health advice warnings were issued during the blaze.
