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Wednesday February 10, 2010

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Fire rips through Collingwood building

Posted by: Ben Wise and Mex Cooper | 2 December, 2009 - 12:51 PM


ABOVE: Firefighters battle the blaze earlier (3AW footage).

Mex Cooper: Firefighters have contained a blaze that has gutted a Collingwood mannequin factory and sent large plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.

Workers from Creative Colour in Wellington Street, on the corner of Langridge Street, were evacuated just after 12.20pm as fire spread through the two-storey building.

The fire was contained just after 2pm and firefighters are entering the people to ensure it is fully out, a Metropolitan Fire Brigade spokeswoman said.

She said the cause of the fire was not known.

Wellington Street is expected to remain shut for hours and peak-hour commuters have been warned to avoid the area.

Creative Colour co-owner Craig Rayner watched his store burn with tears in his eyes, as dozens of firefighters fought the heavy smoke and flames.

"Everyone got out safely. That's all that matters," he said.

Mr Rayner said he wasn't sure what started the fire at the store, which has been operating in Collingwood since 1994.

Residents and workers had been advised to close windows and doors as smoke travelled kilometres from the fire.

The MFB spokeswoman said the smoke had now dissipated but the smell from the fire lingered.

A nearby worker said about 20 people were employed at the business which supplies mannequins for shops.

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