By CASEY NEILL
STAFF from a Dandenong South flooring company have been “inspirational” in the wake of a blaze that gutted their warehouse, says QEP Australia managing director Bruce Maclaren.
Police and CFA investigators last week deemed the 19 September fire at the Dunlopillo Drive premises non-suspicious.
“I think they’re expecting some sort of sparks occurred from something electrical,” Mr Maclaren said.
He was in the office when flames took hold in the warehouse about 6pm.
More than 100 CFA and MFB firefighters fought for 90 minutes to bring the blaze under control.
Mr Maclaren has been “staggered” at the support he’s received from the community and workers in the aftermath.
“It’s a close-knit business like most small companies are,” he said.
“They’re all available any time.
“They’re working in conditions that would be less than acceptable normally.
“I’m inspired by that.”
He’s now trying to get employees back to work as quickly as possible.
“We’re really targeting minimal disruption,” he said.
“Half of my business is functioning as normal.
“The other half, it’s going to ramp up over the course of the next four or five weeks.
“We’ve now got probably about 80 per cent of our administration staff – albeit in very cramped surrounds – placed.
“The warehouse staff are our biggest challenge.”
Mr Maclaren met with about 38 of his 50 workers on Friday morning to update them on progress and offer counselling support.
Centrelink representatives attended to discuss entitlements and Integrated Program Recruitment offered to find casual employment for all affected employees.
“The staff were very appreciative of what’s happened so far in terms of trying to keep the business running,” Mr Maclaren said.
“We’re hopefully quite close to finding some more premises in Dandenong on a short-term basis.”
He said the company would return to its home of eight years if the landlord decides to rebuild.
“My understanding is the whole thing is going to be levelled very quickly,” he said.
