Plastic burns

By Melissa Meehan
THREE teenagers are helping police as they investigate the cause of a plastics factory fire in Dandenong South on Saturday night.
Senior Detective Russell Church said police were still investigating the cause of the Bryants Road fire, which resulted in more than $1.5 million in damage.
“The fire started about 10.30pm at the Star Maid International plastics factory in Dandenong South,” Sen Det Church said.
“At this stage the cause of the fire is still under investigation.”
The teenagers, two from Dandenong South and one from Endeavour Hills voluntarily arrived at Dandenong police station early Sunday afternoon with their parents.
“At this stage no charges have been laid, but the boys are helping our investigations,” Sen Det Church said.
Dandenong CFA fire officer Robert Cochrane said the factory was gutted by fire.
“Twelve CFA appliances responded and contained the fire to the one building,” Mr Cochrane said.
“Firefighters from Dandenong, Springvale, Noble Park, Frankston and Narre Warren attended the scene and all up there were five heavy pumpers and two aerial pumpers.”
Due to the flammable material inside the factory, he said it took 40 firefighters more than two hours to extinguish the blaze.
“The intensity of the fire, because of the plastic, made it difficult to contain,” Mr Cochrane said.
“The significant number of firefighters made it possible to stop it from affecting neighbouring buildings.”
Star Maid International director Guy Gregg praised the efforts of the CFA.
“We have a number of factories on site, the fire brigade did such a wonderful job to stop it from spreading to the others,” Mr Gregg said.
He said the company, which makes plastic containers and other items for household use, was desperately trying to remake stock ruined by the fire.
“The factory building affected by the fire wasn’t one of our manufacturing hubs, it was where the finished products were housed before being sent to the retailers,” Mr Gregg said.