A factory fire in Narangba has been extinguished after more than 20 fire and rescue crews responded to the blaze, which forced nearby businesses to evacuate and prompted smoke warnings. Emergency crews also faced concerns about possible chemical contamination after substances reportedly entered a neighbouring creek.
The fire broke out in a warehouse area on Potassium Street, just off the Bruce Highway, on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. Emergency services received a call around 5 p.m. reporting multiple oil barrels alight inside the building. Firefighters arrived to find the blaze well established but managed to bring it under control shortly before 6 p.m. Crews remained at the site to extinguish remaining hot spots and ventilate the building, with no one found inside the factory following the incident.
Evacuations And Thick Smoke Disrupt Nearby Streets
Police assisted with evacuations in surrounding areas, including nearby businesses, while streets around the factory were closed for several hours. The emergency response also brought warnings about smoke exposure and reduced visibility for motorists travelling through the area.
At 6:07 p.m., the Queensland Fire Department issued an advice-level warning for Narangba, advising that thick smoke was expected to linger overnight. People affected by heavy smoke were urged to remain indoors with windows and doors closed, while those with respiratory conditions were advised to keep breathing medication close by.
Motorists were also warned that smoke could affect visibility and that some roads might be closed or require alternative routes. People without an essential reason to enter the affected area were advised to stay away while crews continued their work. An incident update shared by the South East Queensland UHF Emergency Service Team recorded 18 emergency vehicles at the scene at 6:08 p.m., with another three on their way. The incident remained listed as active at that time, despite firefighters having brought the flames under control.
Creek Concerns Extend Emergency Clean-up
The response continued beyond the burning warehouse after chemicals believed to have been stored at the factory reportedly entered a nearby drain and neighbouring creek. Fire crews prepared pumps for clean-up operations and worked with a scientific unit and local council to manage the potential contamination. The work continued after the fire was extinguished, with emergency services addressing possible hazards outside the immediate fire area.
The chemicals involved had not been identified, and authorities had yet to confirm the extent of any environmental impact. The available information did not establish whether the reported contamination had caused damage to the creek. The cause of the blaze also remained under investigation. A faulty pump had been suggested as a possible contributing factor, although fire authorities had not confirmed the theory. Fire investigators were expected to examine the factory to determine how the blaze started.
Published 14-October-2026
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