Firefighters remain at major Melbourne factory fire overnight
Firefighters continued to work to extinguish a large factory fire in Melbourne's west overnight with the blaze sending plumes of black smoke over the city.
A large pile of scrap metal caught fire beside a factory on Plummer Road in Laverton North, west of the CBD, about 1.45pm on Tuesday.
Windy conditions meant the fire quickly spread to covering an estimated area of 80m by 50m and 10m high, FRV Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Brown said.
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A pile of metal recycling at a factory in Laverton North is on fire. Nine
He said the fire was contained about 5pm, with the help of heavy rain dousing Melbourne, but would continue to burn into the night.
"It's quite deep-seeded," he said.
"FRV crews will be here overnight into tomorrow."
More than 70 firefighters worked to control the flames, with Emergency Management Victoria warning residents to avoid the area.
Firefighters are on site working to control the flames. Nine
FRV Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Brown spoke to media about the fire. Nine
Brown said the worksite had been evacuated quickly and that no one had been injured.
It is not known what has caused the fire but WorkSafe has been briefed.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria teams are also on-site working to protect local waterways from water runoff.
They are also monitoring air conditions and warned those nearby to stay inside.
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