A building fire broke out at the Beijing Duck and Dumpling House on the corner of Murray Road and Plenty Road, Preston at about 9.00 this morning.
Two people asleep in the upper story of the Beijing Duck and Dumpling House noticed a fire. They went downstairs to inform the owner who was downstairs having a coffee.
The three occupants safely evacuated the building. The fire quickly escalated according to Acting Commander Phillip Rumney. Residents of the adjoining apartment complex were safely evacuated.
Quickly arriving on scene Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) firefighters found the second story fully involved in fire and proceeded to protect a multi-story apartment complex next door.
The owner-occupier was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.
“We had a major concern with the Telstra towers on the roof of the building and trying to isolate the power to them,” Acting Commander Phillip Rumney said.
The fire was declared under control just after 10am when firefighters were able to enter the building to extinguish the blaze.
BeiJing Duck & Dumpling restaurant, cnr Plenty & Murray Rds. IMAGE: Ali Alrukabi/still from video 
BeiJing Duck & Dumpling restaurant, cnr Plenty & Murray Rds. PHOTO: Ashley Geelan/VicNews 
The now damged mobile phone towers. PHOTO: Ashley Geelan/VicNews 
Fire Rescue Victoria Pumper 15 (Heidelberg) on scene. PHOTO: Ashley Geelan/VicNews 
Fire Rescue Victoria Pumper 13 (Northcote) on scene. PHOTO: Ashley Geelan/VicNews 
Exhausted firefighters relax following a busy morning. PHOTO: Ashley Geelan/VicNews 
Firefighters pack up their breathing apparatus. PHOTO: Ashley Geelan/VicNews 
Acting Commander Phillip Rumney. PHOTO: Ashley Geelan/VicNews 
The Beijing Duck and Dumpling after the fire had been extinguished. PHOTO: Ashley Geelan/VicNews 
The fire scene. PHOTO: Ashley Geelan/VicNews 
The fire scene after the fire was brough under control. PHOTO: Ashley Geelan/VicNews
“We’ve got Telstra representatives on their way to assess the damage done to the Telstra towers. I’d say that they’ve been damaged and will have to be replaced.
“The ground floor has been severely damaged by smoke. The structure of the building is starting to fail. We’ve got a building surveyor coming to assess the damage.
“They’ll probably do something to shore up the wall on this side,” Acting Commander Phillip Rumney said.
The wall referred to is the southern wall of the building facing Murray Road where an advertising billboard is attached.
Fire Recue Victoria’s Fire Investigation Unit is investigating the fire which is believed to have been started by an electrical fault.
VicNews has contacted Telstra for comment.
