Detectives en route after man dies in factory fire

Police have confirmed a Ballarat man has died after being pulled from a burning factory fire at Wendouree.

A man has died after being pulled from a burning factory in Wendouree on Tuesday morning.

Emergency services were called to the factory on Villiers Drive following reports of a fire about 6.30am.

Fire Rescue Victoria Commander Malcolm Hayes said crews found the factory to be “well alight” upon arrival, with two “very distressed” people out the front of the building who told them somebody was trapped inside.

“Crews forced entry through the roller door and found a person in the back corner of the factory,” he said.

The man was pulled from the burning building, but could not be revived.

Emergency services at the scene of the Wendouree factory fire. Photo: Ballarat News Team

Police have since confirmedthat the man, from Ballarat, was believed to be living inside the factory in a caravan.

He was aged 39 and his next of kin have been notified.

The two other men, who were not injured, were assessed by paramedics at the scene.

Police have established a crime scene around the “general purpose factory”, which Commander Hayes said was “completely destroyed” in the industrial part of Wendouree.

He said the front of the building, believed to be a storage facility, was extensively damaged and smoke-clogged.

The Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria remain at the scene and have been seen using a large crane, while detectives from the Arson Squad will join fire investigators at the scene today.

The fire is being treated as suspicious.

The CFA issued a community warning about the fire at 6.54am.

It said smoke may be visible from nearby roads but there was no immediate threat to the community.

The fire was listed as ‘under control’ on Vic Emergency as of 8am.

Leader observed some people approaching the blocked street but it appears only those who work in the area are being permitted to go in.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.