A fire in an extraction filter at a commercial laboratory in Maddington has prompted the evacuation of about 50 workers.
The Fire Department and Emergency Services attended the fire at the Genalysis mineral analysis lab yesterday morning.
A company spokesperson told Manufacturers' Monthly the fire was caused by a spark being sucked into the extraction system and that the company is looking at the filter design.
The fire took about half-an-hour to be extinguished and the spokesperson said it was a great response from the fire department and staff during the evacuation.
The fire caused minimal damage and the laboratory is back up and running “business as usual” today.
The facility tests exploration samples of about 80 different elements including iron ore, zinc, and gold.
It also conducts ship loading samples so the purchaser knows what they’re buying.