Tweed Heads South factory on fire as firefighters contain flames

WATCH: Firefighters discuss what caused a factory fire which lead to two people suffering smoke inhalation and several others being evacuated.

Two people have been treated for smoke inhalation after a shop fittings business in Tweed Heads South was engulfed by flames on Thursday afternoon.

North 2 Duty Commander Fraser Hindry said the four fire crews worked were called to a fire at Enterprise Avenue on Thursday afternoon just before 2pm where they were able to contain the damage to just one business.

Firefighters, police, paramedics and a hazardous material unit were on scene at the Fig Interiors Shop fitting & CNC Machining shed fire.

Fire damage at Fig Interiors.

“The fire was going quite strongly when (firefighters) got here, lots of flames,” Mr Hindry said.

“They contained the fire to one unit, which had a high fire (fuel) load – timber inside the machinery.

“They contained it to that one and there was no damage to the adjoining units either side.”

He said the fire was started on accident by a machine and was not being treated as suspicious.

No one was seriously injured.

Tweed firefighters at the scene of an Enterprise Ave fire in Tweed Heads. Picture: Liana Walker

An eyewitness said she saw the building go up in flames.

“The flames were above the roof within minutes,” she said

“The whole building was engulfed”

Emergency services on scene at Enterprise Avenue.

She said firefighters were there within five minutes.

Short Term Support Disability owner Roachelle Hewittson had to rush six people out of their business at 6 Enterprise Ave when store two down went up in flames.

“We heard some ruckus and yelling,” she said

“We looked outside to see what was going on and saw flames coming out of the building.”

She said business leaders from the entire block rallied together to help extinguish the fire while they waited for firefighters to arrive.

“It’s always a bit scary being very close to a fire,” she said.

Witness Blake Ryan Said he thought they were doing road works when he approached Enterprise Ave.

“I saw the smoke and realised it was a fire,” he said.

The owner of Fig Interiors was approached but declined to comment.