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Urgent warning to locals as multiple crews battle major industrial fire at Rocklea in Brisbane’s south

Large flames tore through a shed packed with paper on Monday afternoon.
Katharina LoescheBy Katharina Loesche

Rocklea factory fire

Urgent warning to locals as multiple crews battle major industrial fire at Rocklea in Brisbane’s south

Large flames tore through a shed packed with paper on Monday afternoon.
Katharina LoescheBy Katharina Loesche

An urgent warning has been issued after a major blaze tore through an industrial shed packed with used paper at a recycling facility.

Emergency services were called to Suscatand St in Rocklea in Brisbane’s south just after 2.30pm on Monday, following reports of a fire inside the Visy Recycling site, which also houses a rubbish removal and skip bin business.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Firefighters battle massive blaze at Rocklea recycling shed

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Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) confirmed eight crews, including 28 firefighters, were working to bring the fire under control.

Footage shows thick smoke pouring from the roof of the factory and a nearby tractor fully engulfed in flames.

“The 100x30m industrial shed is full of wastepaper,” QFES said.

Flames tear through a recycling shed in Rocklea.
Flames tear through a recycling shed in Rocklea. Credit: 7NEWS
A tractor goes up in flames as crews race to contain the blaze.
A tractor goes up in flames as crews race to contain the blaze. Credit: 7NEWS
Firefighters battle intense flames as smoke pours from a Rocklea recycling shed.
Firefighters battle intense flames as smoke pours from a Rocklea recycling shed. Credit: 7NEWS

The fire was brought under control at about 3:20pm, but crews are still working to extinguish it, QFES said.

There are no reports of injuries, police said.

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) said one crew was on standby and confirmed the shed and surrounding yards were alight during the peak of the blaze.

Thick smoke seen rising as crews work to contain a blaze inside a paper recycling facility.
Thick smoke seen rising as crews work to contain a blaze inside a paper recycling facility. Credit: 7NEWS
Plumes of smoke pour from the roof of the paper-filled shed in Rocklea.
Plumes of smoke pour from the roof of the paper-filled shed in Rocklea. Credit: 7NEWS

Police are assisting with traffic control, and investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

QFES has issued a smoke warning for Oxley, Corinda and Seventeen Mile Rocks following the large fire.

As smoke is expected to linger in the area for several hours, residents are advised to stay indoors, close windows and doors, and keep respiratory medication close by.

QFES has also asked people to avoid the area and not to fly drones, which can interfere with emergency operations.

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