Community warning issued after fire guts factory

Aerial firefighting units were needed to help bring the blaze under control after it broke out late Sunday afternoon.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos, AUGUST 17, 2021. Police and fire fighters at the scene where following the arrest of a man following a fire at a service station in Fitzroy overnight: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

A factory in Melbourne’s southeast has gone up in flames, with firefighters taking more than hour to bring it under control.

It broke out on Hewitt St, Cheltenham, about 18km from Melbourne’s CBD, just after 3pm.

Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) crews arrived within six minutes to find the single-storey structure well alight.

A catering business’ warehouse has gone up in flames in Melbourne’s southeast. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

It was being used by a catering business at the time, with employees managing to evacuate everyone inside safely.

Twelve firefighting units, including two aerial units, managed to bring the fire under control by 4.38pm.

“The building has sustained extensive damage to the entire structure,” said FRV in a statement, “the council building inspector has been requested to attend the scene and survey the structural integrity of the premises.”

Structure Fire - Watch and Act for Hewitt Street, Cheltenham. You should Stay Indoors. For more info: https://t.co/scV3NvguWa#VicFires

— Fire Rescue Victoria (@FireRescueVic) April 16, 2023

“A Community Warning was issued for residents in the area to stay indoors due to the amount of smoke emitting from the blaze.

“The cause of the fire is yet to be determined but will be investigated by the FRV Fire Investigation Unit.”

Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria also attended the scene to assist.

A structure fire Watch and Act was issued for the area surrounding the blaze, but that was downgraded to an Advice just after 5pm.

Originally published as Community warning issued after fire guts factory