Dandy fire drama

Fire destroyed this building in central Dandenong. Picture: GARY SISSONS

Fire ripped through a Dandenong shop and sent a blanket of smoke over the CBD.
CFA and MFB crews were called to extinguish a blaze that tore through two double-storey stores at 275 and 277 Lonsdale Street about 1.30am on Wednesday, 13 September.
It appeared the building housed a business called Bargain Giftware.
The building was well alight when crews arrived on the scene.
CFA issued an advice message for the Dandenong area about “a significant amount of smoke” affecting the area and road closures “to enable fire fighters to work safely in the area”.
They were able to rescue a dog from the back of one of one of the shops.
Rostered duty officer Gary Bryant said firefighters would remain on scene throughout the morning.
“The breathing apparatus van was called for from Frankston and the mobile communications van was called for from Patterson River,” he said.
There were nine CFA trucks from Dandenong, Hallam, Frankston, Patterson River and Hallam on scene, as well as three MFB trucks.
A fire investigation will take place to determine the cause of the fire.
Police, building surveyors and Greater Dandenong Council were also on scene.