A new mattress shredder is thought to be responsible for a tip fire at Wantirna South yesterday that caused $800,000 damage.
The fire started at the rear of Knox Council’s waste transfer station in George Street in the recycling section about 1.10pm.
It was brought under control by 5pm and the blaze was extinguished by 8pm.
Knox CFA group officer Jim Read said that, at this stage, the new mattress shredder appeared to be the cause of the blaze.
More than 100 firefighters were at the scene, including 15 crews from Dandenong Ranges, Knox, Dandenong and Patterson River, as well as police and SES
Mr Read said the inter-agency co-operation was fantastic.
Residents in Wantirna South and Scoresby were advised to keep their windows shut as a precaution.
‘‘You can never know the exact contents of a tip,’’ Mr Read said.
Knox Council chief executive officer Graeme Emonson said the council would now review the station’s safety procedures with the CFA. He added that the cause of the fire did appear electrical.
The Environment Protection Authority monitored the air quality and run-off off into the creek, but found no problems.
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