Fifteen people have been evacuated during a silo fire at a food manufacturing facility in Bomaderry, on the state’s south coast.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters responded to an automatic fire alarm activation in Bolong Road, just before 9.30 this morning.
On arrival, the crews found a smouldering silo, containing 600 tonnes of grain.
FRNSW is working with on-site staff to mechanically remove the product from the base of the silo, a process that could take all night.
FRNSW Duty Commander, Richard Jones, said that despite the protracted nature of the incident, it is under control, “Today’s incident is an example of a best-case-scenario.”
“Whilst business operations have been impacted, the actions of the facilities staff and firefighters has prevented the fire spreading and causing any further damage,” Inspector Jones said.
Firefighters continue to monitor the temperature of the fire using Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC).
NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Greg Wright said “Specialist fire crews remained on site through-out the night monitoring the scene.
“A 500 metre exclusion zone is in place because of the risk of a dust explosion.”
The cause of the blaze is yet to be determined.
