Channel Highway closed after large apple packing shed fire
UPDATED: A waterbombing helicopter has been used to douse fire at an apple packing shed in southern Tasmania. SEE THE PHOTOS
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UPDATED: A WATERBOMBING helicopter has been used to fully extinguish a fire at an apple shed at Kettering so Tasmania Fire Service crews can focus on Tasmania’s massive bushfire emergency.
The fire — which destroyed the only remaining working apple shed in the Channel area — was caused by an electrical fault, investigators have concluded.
TFS fire investigators went to Groombridge’s packing shed this morning to determine the cause of the early morning blaze.
The 80m by 50m facility was well alight when crews arrived and it took four hours to bring the fire under control.
“Firefighting was difficult due to oxyacetylene and LPG cylinders, requiring crews to pull back from the fire at certain stages,” a TFS spokesman said.
“Five volunteer crews from across the Channel area attended the fire. A waterbombing helicopter is currently being used to completely extinguish the fire so it can be deemed safe to be left unattended and allow ground crews to focus on the bushfire response”.
Investigators said the fire was caused by an electrical fault in the mains switch of the switchboard in the engine room.
The estimated damage is $2.5 million including produce, plant and equipment.
A photograph posted on Facebook by Megan Kenna around 7am shows a huge plume of smoke billowing from the business.
The Channel Highway was closed at the height of the blaze but was reopened just before 7.30am.
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EARLIER: FIRE crews and investigators are at the scene of a large fire at an apple packing shed on the Channel Highway at Kettering.
The fire started early this morning. Emergency services said it was too early to yet say what had caused the shed to catch fire.
A photograph posted on Facebook this morning around 7am shows a huge plume of smoke billowing from the fruit and berry growing business.
The Channel Highway was closed at the height of the blaze but was reopened just before 7.30am.
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