By Brendan Rees
Firefighters have prevented a hazardous incident after a forklift battery began emitting a toxic gas at the rear of a Narre Warren South shopping centre on Saturday 15 August.
Crews were called to a loading dock at Casey Central Shopping Centre just before 5am, after being alerted to a fire indicator panel alarm.
A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said a Hazmat unit from Hallam Fire Station also responded following a strong smell of gas detected at the scene.
A Narre Warren CFA spokesman said they discovered an electric forklift battery that had been left on charge causing it to overheat and indicate “high readings” of carbon monoxide.
Crews brought the scene under control at 6.30am after removing the forklift from the main building.
One appliance from Cranbourne Fire Station also attended.
Paramedics were called to scene at 6.10am, but no one was injured as a result.
