THE Margaret River Dairy Company on Bussell Hwy burnt down on Saturday morning, despite efforts from Cowaramup, Margaret River, Yallingup, Metricup and Busselton Volunteer Bushfire Brigades and Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services.
Local fire crews arrived at the factory at about 3am and worked until 8am fighting the blaze, which caused an estimated $5m in damage.
Unfortunately the firefighters were unable to save the building.
The cause of the fire is unknown but thought to be suspicious, and police are investigating.
Cowaramup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade fire control officer Ian Earl said the fire was “really going when we got there”.
“I was only a matter of trying to save some of the other assets,” he said. “It was a seriously big fire. Water was an issue, we eventually managed to get a source on site. It took us a while.”
It was an opportunity for his brigade and Margaret River Fire and Rescue to try out new trucks and equipment, he said.
Crew returned to the site after the blaze was contained to control flare-ups.
“The crews worked very well together,” Mr Earl said. “We all learnt a bit more.”
Fonti Farm Cheese relocated to the Margaret River region in 1990 from Perth to capitalise on fresher dairy supply.
In 1994 the then owners of Fonti Farm acquired The Margaret River Cheese Company and merged their operations.
The Margaret River Dairy Company was formed in February 2000 when Manassen Foods Australia Pty Ltd purchased the Margaret River Cheese Company including Fonti Farm.
In 2011 Manassen Foods Group was acquired by Bright Foods Group Holdings Pty Ltd in 2011. Bright Foods of China is one of China’s largest food companies.
