Firefighters battle out-of-control blaze at NSW feed mill

Firefighters are struggling to control a raging fire at a feed mill near Newcastle, New South Wales. The inferno erupted in a dust control vent at the Cardiff mill just after 10 in the morning. Up to 50 firefighters, along with engineers, are battling the blaze to bring it under control. The fire began in the dust control vent and quickly spread to the exhaust ducts, causing temperatures to reach an alarming 500 degrees Celsius inside the mill.

Fire and Rescue NSW zone commander James Manuao stated that the situation was challenging due to the heat and location, as the temperature near the grinder, which has not been reached yet, was estimated at 500 degrees Celsius. Concerns were raised about the fire potentially propagating down the ducting system to where the grain grinder is located.

Manuao assured that the situation was being monitored, and while the original fire temperatures had peaked at over 200 degrees Celsius, the temperature near the grinder remained high. Exclusion zones were set up to maintain safety, and the Environmental Protection Authority was kept informed. Manuao emphasized that the primary focus was on extinguishing the fire and ensuring the safety of crew members.

The incident commander noted that the stormwater drains in the area had been shut off to prevent any environmental contamination. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with officials stating that it is too early to determine the exact origin.