Mordialloc fire: Cellarack warehouse destroyed, owners devastated as community smoke warning issued

A husband and wife have been forced to watch their business burn to the ground after fire took hold of their Mordialloc factory.

A Carrum couple has been left devastated after their family-owned business was destroyed in a ferocious factory fire.

Cellarack Mordialloc owners Neil and Jenni Williamson say at least $50,000 worth of stock was ruined after flames tore through their Lower Dandenong Rd warehouse about 11.40am.

“We think someone used a grinder near the paint section and it started from there,” Mr Williamson, 76, told the Leader.

“We used a couple of fire extinguishers on it but we weren’t able to manage it.”

Mr Williamson, who has owned the shop with his wife for more than 35 years, said the business was experiencing a high volume of orders following the coronavirus lockdown.

The factory produces timber frames, shelves and display cases.

The couple, who reside in Carrum, said they had planned to sell the business and enter retirement in the coming years.

“We’re insured but unfortunately there will be a lot of upset customers … we had a lot of work going on,” Mr Williamson said.

“We’re a very popular little business so this is stressful,” Ms Williamson, 73, said.

Cellarack co-owner Jenni Williamson, left, was relieved no one had been injured in the blaze. Picture: Leader

The fire was brought under control about 2pm. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Dozens of employees from surrounding businesses watched as crews tackled the blaze, with police diverting traffic along Lower Dandenong Rd between the Chifley industrial precinct and Warren Rd.

There were no reports of injuries but a community advice warning has been issued for smoke in the area which is drifting across Moorabbin Airport.

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesman said 26 appliances and specialist vehicles brought the blaze under control about 2pm.

“A 60m x 40m factory was totally involved by fire which was threatening to spread into an adjoining factory,” the spokesman said.

“Crews have been able to enter and contain the fire without it spreading into surrounding factories with firefighting operations supported by aerial appliances … operations were also impacted by gas cylinders inside the factory affected by the flames.

“Smoke will be visible from nearby roads and communities in Braeside, Cheltenham, Dingley Village, Heatherton, Mentone, Mordialloc, Parkdale and Moorabbin Airport … there is no immediate threat to the community.”