40 firefighters battle Byron blaze
MOST of Centennial Circuit at Byron Bay has been re-opened after a factory fire forced its evacuation this afternoon.
A building, described as a factory by police and firefighters but as the Paper & Book Arts company by another nearby business, caught fire shortly after noon.
There were grave fears that the blaze would spread to adjoining businesses but by 2pm fire officers were able to contain it, a NSW Fire and Rescue spokesman said.
No one was on site at the factory when the fire broke out and no one was hurt.
However, workers at businesses in many adjoining streets were evacuated due to fears the smoke may be toxic and swirling winds sending the fumes in all directions.
The fire was still being treated as active at 5.30pm.
About 40 fire officers from Byron Bay, Bangalow, Brunswick Heads, and Tweed Heads are fighting the fire, along with Hazmat crews from Lismore and Tweed Heads.
One of the few businesses not evacuated, The Office Collective, reported police lines marking the edge of the evacuation zone were at Tasman Way and the corner of Centennial Circuit.
Although not evacuated, people at The Office Collective were eventually also forced out by the smoke, reporting a "headache kicking in" and saying it was "too smelly and smokey".
