A FIRE that tore through a mattress factory in Epping and forced the evacuation of surrounding businesses this morning is now under control.
Firefighters are yet to determine the cause of the blaze that broke out at the Dreamworks factory on High Street just after 9am and destroyed the building.
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade earlier warned people in High Street, between by Jovic Road and Deveny Road, to close their windows and doors and turn off air-conditioning to avoid smoke and fumes from the blaze.
However that warning was cancelled just before 11.30am.
‘‘The response and recovery effort continues, however there are no immediate threats to public safety,’’ an MFB spokesman said.
‘‘People located within the area of High Street, Epping are now able to resume normal activities, although Jovic Street and High Street will still be closed to traffic while firefighting works continue.
‘‘People should open windows and doors to ventilate their home or business.’’
The cause of the fire is still being investigated and firefighters are expected to remain at the scene for several hours to ensure the fire is extinguished.
Ambulance Victoria spokesman Paul Bentley said paramedics treated three people for smoke inhalation following the factory fire.
Two patients were taken to The Northern Hospital while a third was treated at the scene.
Mechanics at the UltraTune outlet next door to the factory said black smoke poured through the roof of their building.
John Hall, a partner in the UltraTune outlet, said as soon as they saw the smoke filtering into their premises, just after 9am, they started moving cars out of the garage.
“We were just working away and then we heard a bang and then the smoke started coming in, it smelled like rubber burning,” Mr Hall said.
