Swickers Fire Stuns Community

November 6, 2016

Police blocked Kingaroy-Barkers Creek Road – and onlookers were asked to stay away – after a large fire broke out on Sunday morning at Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory.

There were fears that burning chemicals could cause issues for people close to the fire.

However, a QFES specialist team took air samples throughout the morning, and declared the area safe in the early afternoon.

The fire, which is not believed to be suspicious, broke out just before 8:00am in the main Swickers building fronting Kingaroy-Barkers Creek Road.

This is the boning area.

southburnett.com.au understands that while there was pork product in the building, there were no live animals in this area.

Firefighters smashed in a door on one side of the building to get to the flames, while others cut a lock off a gate to improve their access.

An exclusion zone was set up by the Queensland Police Service about 8:45am to prevent spectators from coming too close to the fire.

As black smoke billowed from the building, a QFES spokesman warned nearby residents to close their windows and doors, and if suffering from a respiratory condition, to keep medications close by.

At the height of the blaze, nine fire trucks (pumps) and a ladder truck were in attendance as well as a command vehicle and a scientific team.

[More fire photos and video below]

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Speaking after a meeting of the Local Disaster Management Group on Sunday afternoon, Officer-in-Charge of Kingaroy Police, Senior Sergeant Duane Frank, said firefighters had done an excellent job to confine the fire to the boning room. 

He said firefighters would remain at the building overnight to monitor the site.

Snr Sgt Frank said there was only a minimum of Swickers staff on duty when the fire began, and fortunately no one was injured.

Police would launch an investigation into the cause of the fire, working alongside the QFES and Workplace Health and Safety.

One aspect that would be examined would be whether an electrical fault sparked the fire.

He said monitoring equipment could help the investigation.

“CCTV cameras were in operation at the time,” Snr Sgt Frank said.

He said there were now no concerns for anyone living locally despite the thick, black cloud of smoke. The exclusion zone would be lifted about 6:00pm.

Related articles:

• Swickers To Update Workers
• CEO Reassures Swickers Workers

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Raw Video of Fire

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• UPDATE 10:45am: Witnesses on the site say the fire now appears to be under control.

• UPDATE 12:25pm: Council has activated the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) to assist the QFES.

• UPDATE 1:20pm:  From the LDMG – Police have advised the exclusion zone established around Swickers will remain in place for the balance of Sunday (to be reassessed Sunday evening). Residents within this area are advised to remain inside with windows and doors closed. If anyone is experiencing any breathing difficulties, they should seek medical advice or call 000 for assistance. The Local Disaster Management Group will be meeting later on Sunday afternoon to co-ordinate medium and long-term management of the impacts from this event.

• UPDATE 3:10pm: Fire crews are working inside the building to damp down any hot spots. Firefighters are also working outside taking air samples.

• UPDATE 5:00pm: The SBRC says rumours the fire has affected Kingaroy’s drinking water supply are false. SES volunteers put bunding in place to stop any water escaping from the site.

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Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington was very concerned when she saw there was a fire at Swickers from the rear deck of her home on Sunday morning.

Speaking at 8:30am, she said it was too early to know how great the damage was, but on the face of it the fire could be detrimental to the whole community.

“I am holding my breath that no one has been hurt, the damage is not as bad as it initially seems and jobs are protected,” she said.

“Swickers is our largest employer. They are a great employer and very community-minded.”

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South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell said the fire was a tragedy of “mammoth proportions” for Swickers, its employees, for the supply chain of pig producers and for the economy of the South Burnett as a whole.

He said had been in touch on Sunday morning with Swickers general manager Linchon Hawks, as well as the QFES and the SBRC’s Disaster Management Co-ordinator Russell Hood.

Mayor Campbell said that at one stage it was feared that residents living near the fire would have to be evacuated until the air cleared but an environmental audit on the air quality meant that was now unlikely.

There had been a plan to set up the Town Common Hall as a respite area if it was required.

“The South Burnett Regional Council will be keen to support Swickers in whatever practical way we can,” Mayor Campbell said.

“Especially talking with our contacts at a State and Federal level.”

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Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has offered assistance in the wake of the fire.

“I, along with the whole community, are praying no one has been injured in this event as the full extent of this morning’s fire is still being investigated by emergency services,” Mr Littleproud said.

“I’ve already reached out to the owners to offer my assistance and I will meet with my Ministerial colleagues during Federal Parliamentary sittings this week to make sure every support is offered to those affected during this difficult time.

“This iconic business has played an integral part for employment in the South Burnett and Queensland’s pork industry for more than 50 years and I’ll do all I can to assist affected employees, their families and SunPork Fresh Foods to rebuild after this tragic event.”

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From Facebook  1: To All Swickers Team Members: As you would now be aware there is a fire at Swickers. The Senior Management Team has evoked the Crisis Management Plan. As plans are put in place details will be released. Everyone is safe! Thank you  – Rebecca Humphrey (HR Manager)

From Facebook 2: Swickers employees have been asked to attend a briefing (employees only) on Sunday night at Kingaroy Town Hall.

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Earlier On Sunday

  Fire, Police