12:41pm Sunday 18 September 2011 - Update 28 - Mitchell factory fire

The Mitchell factory fire recovery is continuing to be actively and carefully managed by ACT Government agencies with additional expertise from our NSW counterparts.

The ACT Government is focused on getting Mitchell reopened but safely.

A comprehensive sampling and testing regime has been implemented by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) at the factory fire site, in Mitchell and surrounding suburbs.

The EPA is now waiting for results of the tests from Mitchell which are expected by early tonight.

Preliminary results from initial samples taken on Friday have shown no sign of any environmental contaminants.

The ACT Government will provide advice on the results to the community as soon as it is available early tonight and the impact they will have on the current exclusion zone.

Controls are still in place to prevent run off from the site and moving further into the stormwater system.

Recovery efforts at the site are continuing today. The ACT Fire Brigade remains on scene with a small amount of smoke smouldering from the fire.

The exclusion zone in Mitchell remains in place. Any business operators who want to request access to their premises inside the exclusion zone should call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.

Roads closed include Sandford Street, Flemington Road from Randwick Road to Well Station Drive and the intersection of Old Well Station Road and Morisset Road.