Brisbane fire rips through recycling facility
Firefighters are working to contain a fire that has engulfed a recycling facility in Brisbane.
Emergency services were called to Gosport Street in Hemmant about 2.20pm on Wednesday after a fire began in large storage area full of compressed cardboard and waste.
Emergency services are on scene.Credit:QAS, Facebook
A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said 16 crews were on scene fighting the fire.
"The fire began in the large storage area and it was 30 by 30 metres but it has spread to the rest of the building," she said.
"Firefighters are fighting the blaze externally as it is not safe to enter the commercial building."
Smoke has spread across Brisbane.
Helen Conza, an administration worker at neighbouring business Ozaquatec Service Centre, said it smelled like rubbish burning.
"I originally thought it was a bad storm coming over but it’s heavy black smoke," she said.
"Police have cordoned off the road and the firies are here. I'm not sure if they’ll have any luck but wait until it burns out.
"There is also a fair amount of wind sort of blowing it away.
"I’ve never been this close to a fire and I take my hat off to firemen. I can't imagine having to be in the middle of it."
Paramedics were on scene, but there were no patients.
Capalaba Ambulance Station officer in charge Paige Harris said people in the area who were experiencing breathing difficulties, particularly those with respiratory conditions, should call triple zero.
“It’s causing quite a lot of smoke, fire product and ash falling in the area,” she said.
“We’d just like to encourage residents in the nearby area to stay inside, keep the windows shut and keep out of the area because there is quite a lot of pollutant in the air.”
Police have diversions in place and urge drivers to slow down if their visibility is affected by the smoke.
Jocelyn Garcia is a journalist at the Brisbane Times, covering breaking news.