REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Thursday, May 20, 2004

WORKERS became accidental heroes when they braved toxic fumes to save their workplace.

Employees dragged barrels of red-hot fibreglass resin from a production shed while forklift drivers went back again and again to salvage whatever they could from the blazing factory.

Flames burst through the building’s air vents, fuelling dangerous accelerants as workers battled thick, black smoke to save the company’s multimillion-dollar Coomera headquarters from erupting.

Many workers had to be treated for smoke inhalation after risking their lives for Australia’s largest luxury boat manufacturer.

“They could hardly see in front of them but they continued to go back in,” said Queensland Fire and Rescue Services incident controller Michael Fagg.

“It was lucky it was not more serious. Take enough of those toxic fumes into your lungs and that stuff could kill you.’’

The authorities and Riviera management said the quick action of employees and a welldrilled firefighting system had averted a disaster. Seven employees were admitted to hospital and 19 were given oxygen treatment at the scene.

The fire left a damage bill of more than $1 million.

Riviera fire warden Greg Appleby, who ensured his staff were treated before himself in one of many selfless actions during the morning, said the fire took only a matter of seconds to take hold.

“One of the guys spotted a tub of resin brew smoking. He went to get a hose and by the time he came back flames were shooting through the air,’’ he said.