A FIRE has caused $1 million in damage to the Goodman Fielder factory near Pelican Point.
The cause of the fire at the disued canola oil processing plant is unknown but the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said it was not suspicious.
South West Superintendent Ricky Curtis said firefighters were called to the factory just after 3am on Thursday morning.
“The complex is a significant size and once crews had gained entry they identified a number of potential hazards,” Superintendent Curtis said.
“There were some storage areas which contained bio-diesel and more that were labelled as containing hazardous chemicals and materials.
“It took 40 firefighters to get the blaze under control about 5.45am.”
The Bunbury Mail understands some explosions were heard in the early stages of the fire.
Bunbury Career, Bunbury Volunteer and Eaton-Australind Firefighters were all required to help extinguish the fire.
Superintendent Curtis said firefighters will spend the morning conducting overhaul – a process which involves entering the factory with breathing apparatus to investigate how and where the fire started as well as ensuring there are no remaining embers.
He also said while firefighters managed to save the bulk storage area, the inside of the factory was destroyed.