A major fire at a packaging factory in Kewdale has sent a plume of toxic smoke over Perth's eastern suburbs, prompting authorities to issue a smoke warning for the area. The blaze broke out at the Integrated Packaging facility on Norlin Street, with flames engulfing containers and spreading to the main building.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has advised residents to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed to avoid the potentially dangerous fumes. The smoke, which is being blown in a south-east direction, is being tested for toxicity by the ChemCentre and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
DFES North East Operations region Superintendent Gary Baxter said the fire started in pallets of plastic cups along the fence line before spreading to the manufacturing workshop. 'Polyethylene is highly combustible, and as you can see from the plume of smoke behind us it's highly toxic,' he said. He warned that the fire could burn for some time and urged residents to switch off air conditioners.
Several roads, including Glassford Road, Norlin Street and Hazlehurst Road, have been closed. The fire is burning less than two kilometres south of Perth Airport, but flights have not been affected so far. The cause of the blaze is under investigation, with a full inquiry to begin once the fire is extinguished and the site is safe.
This is the fourth major fire in Western Australia on Thursday, with emergency warnings also issued for a bushfire in Baldivis, a blaze near Jarrahwood, and a fire in the Vasse Plantation. All emergency warnings have now been downgraded.
