By Laura Michell
A fundraising effort set up to help a migrant worker seriously injured in Friday’s Campbellfield factory fire has raised more than $20,000.
The Migrant Workers Centre set up an online fundraiser for Vignesh Varatharaja, who suffered serious burns after a chemical drum he was pumping exploded.
Mr Varatharaja, who came to Australia as a refugee from Sri Lanka in 2013, was taken to The Alfred Hospital where he remains in a stable condition.
According to the fundraising page, a co-worker tried to extinguish the flames on Mr Varatharaja’s body, but a nearby fire hose was broken.
The Australian Workers Union said its members had raised concerns about occupational health and safety at the factory recently.
Money raised will help with Mr Varatharaja’s medical fees.
“Vignesh fled the Sri Lankan civil war … as a refugee with ongoing costs related to his immigration, Vignesh doesn’t have savings for this kind of medical emergency,” the fundraising page says.
“WorkCover claims can take a long time to process or become a protracted legal fight. Injured workers often have to wait months despite urgent medical bills.
“There’s a good chance that Vignesh will face upfront costs and the Migrant Workers Centre is trying to help cover all bases.”
Vignesh is an AWU member and a refugee from Sri Lanka. He was badly injured in the industrial fire at Campbellfield on Friday. He needs our solidarity. If you can, please donate to help with his medical fees. t.co/yGB4sHq6TL # via @mwcvic
— AWU Tasmania (@AWUTasmania) April 5, 2019
Fire under control
The fire at Bradbury Industrial Services’ Thornycroft Street factory continues to smoulder, with firefighters working around the clock since Friday to extinguish hot spots.
MFB deputy chief officer David Bruce said he was hopeful firefighting operations could finish in the next day or so.
“MFB is working closely with the local council, our partner agencies and the community to minimise impacts to local businesses and residents and return the site to business as usual,” he said.
“We will not be allowing people into the immediate area until we are confident the scene has been made safe – we appreciate the patience the community has shown.”
MEDIA RELEASE: Firefighters have been working around the clock at Campbellfield. The fire has been mostly extinguished and the smoke has substantially reduced, but firefighters remain on scene monitoring the area tonight. t.co/o7vJCOqNKc pic.twitter.com/KidiRhbazO
— MFB (@MFB_NEWS) April 7, 2019
Thornycroft Street remains partly closed.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Firewater run-off is being held in the National Business Park wetland, near the head of Merlynston Creek.
The Environment Protection Authority has advised residents to avoid contact with water from Merlynston Creek from National Business Park wetlands downstream to, and including, Jack Roper Reserve.
