Cranbourne East fire: Smoke billowing over area after New Holland Drive building fire
Workers made a quick dash to safety after a fire erupted in a Salvation Army church in Cranbourne East, close to a local school and TAFE.
South East
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A group of seven workers had to make a quick escape when a fire broke out in the Salvation Army’s Cranbourne church Monday morning.
A fire erupted in the building on New Holland Drive, which borders Casey Grammar School and is opposite Chisholm TAFE, about 9.30am, sending black smoke over the area.
Salvation Army captain and Minister David Allman said he was inside the building with six others when the fire started.
He said they were down the other end of the building when the smoke alarm went off, alerting them to the fire, which was contained to one corner of building.
He said it was “pretty scary” to come out and see a big room filled with smoke.
“The smoke was like a thick fog, it was pretty bad,” he said.
Staff evacuated to an assembly area outside and by that time the fire trucks were already arriving.
Mr Allman said the fire had affected an area of the building where the Salvation Army holds its church services, impacting the roof.
The other part of the building is OK apart from the water damage.
Mr Allman said they would not be able to run their doorway welfare service or church services until the building was repaired, which would impact a lot of people.
Fire Rescue Victoria fire investigator Greg Fenech said the cause of the fire was accidental.
“It is not malicious, not suspicious, and is accidental in nature,” he said.
A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said crews arrived at 9.38am. CFA crews were also called to the fire.
A warning went out to the nearby community because of the spread of smoke.
