Fire crews remain on the scene of a factory blaze in Bomaderry after a large rubbish pile and paper bales caught alight early Wednesday morning.
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Five Fire and Rescue NSW crews were called to the Victa Way factory at just after 4.30am and quickly brought the blaze at the Shoalhaven Recycling Centre under control.
Fire and Rescue NSW Inspector Rick Jones said when fire crews arrived they were confronted by a working fire at the rear of the building.
"We believe the fire started inside the building," Inspector Jones said.
"Crews were very quick to get hose lines onto the fire and stop it spreading."
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The fire is in a section of paper and general recycling items.
"Due to the nature of the building and the packed material, excavators are working to pull the material out," Inspector Jones said.
"Firefighters are wetting that material down as it's removed to ensure it is fully extinguished, so we will be here for several hours."
At one stage, bush at the rear of the complex also caught on fire, but was quickly brought under control.
Fire and Rescue NSW crews from Berry, Nowra and Shoalhaven and the Illawarra, including Kiama, assisted in the operation.
The FRNSW Hazmat Unit is also on the scene monitoring the smoke and water runoff, while crews from Ambulance NSW are also at the location.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
A new piece of FRNSW equipment, a specialised recovery van, was also deployed to the area.
"It's new to our area and it's only the second time it has been deployed in the Shoalhaven," Inspector Jones said.
"It's for incidents which are protracted.
"The van has a number of pieces of equipment, such as shade facilities, fans, tables and chairs and can be erected as a place where fire crews can recover. It also has the ability to serve water and coffee."