Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MBF) crews were called to Botany Bay Timber Products in Lance Road, Sunshine North, at approximately 8 pm on Monday 20 July 2015.
Workers were alerted to the blaze after smoke filled the factory. Eight employees were swiftly and safely evacuated as the alarm was raised, with no injuries reported.
The business, which has been in operation for over 30 years, specialises in timber skirtings and architraves.
MFB firefighters were quickly on scene and found flames issuing from a four-storey timber sawdust hopper, duct work on fire, and an additional fire in a nearby building.
Damage was minimised by the efficient work of firefighters, given the potential for the fire to spread within the large buildings.
It appears that the fire, near the timber working machine, travelled down the duct work (some 150 metres) and escalated. Fire investigators were on hand at the scene to determine how the fire started.
The MFB utilised a thermal imaging camera to detect heat and fires within the extensive duct work system.
After two hours the situation was under control. MFB Firefighters remained on the scene throughout the night to continue to extinguish the fire and ventilate the buildings.
Botany Bay Timber Products is open again following the fire and no further disruptions have been reported.
