Qld: Huge blaze destroys mattress factory

AAP General News (Australia)
08-13-2008
Qld: Huge blaze destroys mattress factory

BRISBANE, Aug 13 AAP - Firefighters say they are not yet sure what started a massive
blaze that destroyed a mattress factory in Brisbane.

Thirty-eight firefighters with eight appliances battled the fire at its height in Dan
Street, Slacks Creek.

Fire crews found the front of the two-story The Mattress Factory well alight after
the fire was reported at 5.59am (AEST) today.

Police and ambulance crews also attended as thick smoke billowed over the area, warning
nearby residents to close doors and windows.

A number of businesses in the immediate vicinity were evacuated but no one was injured.

Business owner Jeff Kaus said the family-owned factory, which employed 15 workers,
would be rebuilt.

"What else can I do?" he said.

Mr Kaus said he was hopeful several pieces of machinery could be recovered from the
basement level of the building, which was less damaged than the top two floors.

He said the business had a second factory it would try to operate the business from
until its Slacks Creek factory could be re-opened.

A Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) spokesman said firefighters did not believe
the blaze was suspicious but had not yet been able to enter the building to begin their
investigations.

QFRS scientific officers were continuing to monitor air quality around the scene this afternoon.

AAP jmm/maur/bwl

KEYWORD: FIRE NIGHTLEAD

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