AN electrical fault in a tractor started a fire that ripped through a Laverton North factory on Thursday, according to investigators.
Up to 70 firefighters, 14 pumpers and three aerial units attended the scene at the height of the blaze after Australian Paper Recovery’s plastics shed went up in flames about 6.30pm.
Fire brigade spokesman Rob Purcell said crews from the MFB and CFA took almost three hours to bring the blaze under control.
“We only get about five fires this big [per year] … there aren’t many that take this much effort to put out,” he said.
Damage to the 80-by-60-metre premises on Norwest Avenue is estimated at $2million.
Mr Purcell said crews struggled to access the building because it was a concrete tilt-slab construction and was at risk of collapsing.
“These kinds of constructions are notoriously unstable after fires.”
With smoke still billowing from the scene on Friday, Mr Purcell said fire crews monitored the smouldering remains and cordoned off Dohertys Road until it was safe for drivers to pass.
Australian Paper Recovery managing director Darren Thorpe said while devastating for the company, it was fortunate no one was injured in the blaze.
“You can replace the property, you can replace the building, but you can’t replace people,” he said.
