A Geelong brewery experienced a bizarre and smoky emergency this week when a batch of bread buns spontaneously ignited, forcing staff to call firefighters to the scene.
Unusual Emergency at Wallington Brewery
The incident unfolded at the Blackman's Brewery located on Banks Road in Wallington on Tuesday afternoon. According to reports from the Country Fire Authority (CFA), the emergency call was logged at approximately 4:30 PM.
The cause was far from ordinary. A large quantity of bread buns, described as being stored in a polystyrene box, suddenly caught fire through a process known as spontaneous combustion. This rare phenomenon occurs when a material generates enough heat through internal chemical reactions to ignite without an external flame source.
CFA crews from the Leopold and Wallington brigades responded promptly to the alarm. Upon arrival, they were met with a scene of smoke but no open flames, as the combustion process had already subsided.
Firefighters Tackle Smoky Aftermath
The firefighters' primary task was to deal with the significant amount of smoke produced by the incident. They worked to ventilate the affected area to clear the air and ensure no hidden hotspots remained.
A spokesperson for the CFA provided details on the response, confirming the unusual nature of the call. "Crews responded to reports of smoke coming from a polystyrene box containing bread rolls," the spokesperson stated. "The bread is believed to have spontaneously combusted."
Fortunately, due to the quick response and the self-limiting nature of the event, the situation was brought under control swiftly. There were no reports of injuries to staff or emergency personnel, and damage appears to have been minimal, confined primarily to the spoiled product and some smoke residue.
A Reminder of Uncommon Hazards
While spontaneous combustion is a well-documented scientific process, it is not commonly associated with everyday food items like bread. It typically requires a material that is prone to self-heating, often under specific conditions of moisture, microbial activity, and insulation that prevents heat from escaping.
The incident at Blackman's Brewery serves as a quirky but real reminder that fire hazards can come in unexpected forms. Businesses, especially those in hospitality and food production, are advised to be aware of proper storage practices for organic materials.
The brewery, a popular local venue known for its craft beers and food offerings, was able to resume normal operations following the all-clear from firefighters. The event has certainly provided a memorable story for both staff and patrons in the Geelong region.
