By DANIEL TRAN
WORKERS at a Keysborough chrome plating and moulding factory were forced to evacuate and roads closed after a large fire broke out, sending toxic plumes into the air early this morning.
Firefighters arrived at the DGM factory in Olive Grove about 5.50 to find the building already well alight.
Senior station officer Stephen Keating of Dandenong CFA said factory workers first noticed the fire on the production line.
It took 40 firefighters from the Dandenong, Springvale, Keysborough, Frankston, Patterson River and Hallam CFAs about an hour to contain the blaze.
Senior station officer Keating said heavy smoke and the layout of the building made it harder for the firefighters to get to the origin of the fire.
No one was injured.
CHECK OUT OUR PICTURE GALLERY OF THE FIRE HERE.
Staff in nearby factories were evacuated and a public warning was issued about the smoke heading to surrounding areas.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated but the CFA believes there were no suspicious circumstances.
Senior station officer Keating said the cost of the damage was not yet known.
‘‘The building hasn’t been totally destroyed by fire but the cost will be significant in the reconstruction of the building, and the cost in the repair and reinstating of the plant line will be fairly expensive as well.”
