Fire Destroys Salisbury Mattress Factory

AIR quality tests have been carried out across a southern Brisbane suburb after a foam mattress factory went up in flames, creating heavy black smoke and hazardous fumes.Around 50 firefighters fought the blaze in Textile Crescent, Salisbury, for two-and-a-half hours after it broke out just before 9pm yesterday.The single storey brick and fibro building was believed to have been used to store foam and construct foam mattresses.

QFRS senior operational coordinator for Brisbane Barry Pearce said fire crews' initial concern was to protect nearby structures."Crews were able to confine the fire to the building of origin and then worked hard to bring the flammable substance under control," he said."The area is largely industrial, however for the safety of firefighters and residents, QFRS scientific officers conducted air monitoring around the scene and around a wider area.

"All air quality levels were well within acceptable readings."No evacuations were required.Scientific officers and fire investigators will examine the area today to determine the cause of the blaze.

A firefighter was was taken to Brisbane's PA hospital for treatment after battling the blaze.One firefighter was taken to the PA hospital and two others treated at the scene, all suffering from heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation.A large metal shed to the rear of the building turned red hot as it also caught fire, with flames leaping several metres into the air.

Onlookers and police were moved back because of asbestos fears, while thick clouds of smoke rolled from the building as foam, latex, ethanol and glue burned inside.Watch video of the fire hereMr Pearce said the air was not considered dangerous to nearby residents."There were reports of several explosions, and we believe they were LP gas cylinders," Mr Pearce said.

"There is no reason to evacuate the surrounding area, but we will be on the ground for some hours yet."In another fire yesterday, crews were called to the Laundry Friend in Wilston Road at Newmarket, in Brisbane's inner north, about 3.30am, but it too was gutted before crews could bring the blaze under control.

Originally published as Air tests after factory fire