All staff and jobs safe after silo fire at Mallanganee on Tuesday

The managing director of an agricultural business speaks about the impact a fire on Tuesday has had on the business.

SILO FIRE: Crews from five Rural Fire Service and two Fire and Rescue NSW attended a silo fire at Mara Global Foods at Mallanganee. MGF managing director Ross Larsson said no-one was injured and no job have been impacted by the incident. Photo courtesy Michael Brett RFS.

The managing director of an agricultural business which was the scene of a silo fire early on Tuesday morning has confirmed no-one was injured and it’s back to “business as usual.”

On Wednesday August 11, Mara General Foods managing director Ross Larsson said the most important factor was that “no-one was injured” at the fire which started around 12.33am on Tuesday.

“There were eight tonnes of high moisture corn which caught and became a smouldering fire in a silo at our Mallanganee operations,” he said.

“A few people lost a some sleep, but all our people are safe and the plant is fine with minimal damage.”

Mr Larsson who founded the business in 2009, said no jobs had been impacted at the Mallanganee operation which employees five people.

“We are considered an essential business, we provide many of the ingredients for food which you would be familiar with in the supermarket,” he said.

“So we are still working at Mallanganee and have been 45 and 50 people, depending on the shift, working at our Shannon Brook operation.”

Rural Fire Service (RFS) Inspector Daniel Ainsworth said the incident at Mallanganee was attended by crews from five brigades.

“We had RFS crews and trucks from Tabulam, Mallanganee, Mummulgum, Bonalbo and Casino, as well as NSW Fire and Rescue crews from Casino and Goonellabah Hazmat,” he said.

“As it was considered a Hazmat incident, the duty commander from Fire and Rescue also attended.”

Mr Ainsworth said the fire was declared extinguished at lunchtime on Tuesday.