A large fire at a recycling facility in Hemmant in Brisbane’s east forced evacuations, triggered smoke warnings, and prompted a major emergency response before being contained within a shed.
Fire Breaks Out Inside Hemmant Facility
Emergency services responded to reports of a structural fire at a commercial recycling site on Lytton Road in Hemmant just after 3 p.m., with the blaze starting inside a large shed within the facility’s storage and processing area.
The site handles scrap metal and various battery types, including household, lead-acid, and smaller quantities of lithium batteries. The fire spread across multiple storage sections, affecting three of the shed’s four bays as flames took hold within the area.
More than a dozen fire crews were deployed to the Hemmant site, with fire trucks and machinery used to bring the situation under control.
Thick Smoke Prompts Evacuations
Large volumes of smoke rose from the structure, prompting immediate evacuations of workers at the facility and surrounding businesses. The smoke posed a hazard, leading to warnings for nearby areas including Tingalpa and Wynnum West.
Residents in affected areas were advised to remain indoors and keep windows and doors closed as a precaution. Despite the scale of the incident, the building’s structural stability was not considered at risk during the response.
Road Closures And Ongoing Response
Lytton Road was closed in both directions, including sections near Doboy Bridge and Poppy Street, to allow emergency crews to manage the fire safely. The closure was later lifted as conditions improved.
Firefighters worked to contain the blaze within the shed while using machinery to separate burning debris. Crews remained on site into the evening as they continued efforts to extinguish the fire.
Environmental monitoring was also carried out, with attention given to nearby waterways to ensure no hazardous materials entered surrounding areas.
Fire Contained As Crews Continue Work
By later in the evening, the fire had been largely contained within the affected storage areas, though crews continued operations to fully extinguish the blaze.
One firefighter required treatment for heat-related symptoms, with no other injuries reported.
Fire investigators are expected to examine the cause of the Hemmant fire as inquiries continue into how the incident occurred.
Published 17-Apr-2026
