A blaze has significantly damaged Queensland's only export-accredited bacon factory as it prepared to deliver hams for its busiest time of the year - Christmas.
Black smoke billowed out of the Swickers pig abattoir at Kingaroy after the fire started about 7.45am on Sunday.
It was brought under control by firefighters after several hours but people were asked to stay well away from the area.
Fire Inspector John Harrison told the ABC the boning room had been destroyed, while the rest of the factory was undamaged.
He said tanks of ammonia had been isolated although metal walls filled with polystyrene continued burning.
South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell said the fire was an economic tragedy for the area, with the business employing up to 600 people.
Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud offered assistance to SunPork Fresh Foods company and its employees.
"This iconic business has played an integral part for employment in the South Burnett and Queensland's pork processing for more than 50 years," he said in a statement on Sunday.
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