Black smoke to billow for 'several days' Fire engulfs building at Hemmant, in Brisbane's east

Clouds of black smoke can be seen from almost anywhere in Brisbane after flames engulfed a recycling warehouse filled with cardboard at Hemmant, in Brisbane's east, yesterday.

The fire continues to send thick black smoke billowing across the city as it burns through the waste material.

Authorities are warning locals to stay away and close their windows and doors as the blaze is expected to burn for several days.

The building's four occupants managed to escape unharmed and call Triple Zero when the fire broke out about 2.30pm yesterday.

The fire is believed to have sparked in a pile of cardboard and quickly devoured 20,000 cubic square metres of compact waste.

The roof of the building has since collapsed, making the job even harder for firefighters.

"The fuel load inside is quite compact waste cardboard material," Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFES) Acting Superintendent Tim Clarke said.

"It's an extremely heavy fuel load and it's too dangerous to make entry into the building."

Crews remain on the scene, working from the ground and from the air, with some areas on the ground unsafe to fight the blaze from.

Aerial booms are being used to stop the fire from spreading to nearby buildings.

"We've got two aerials working on this eastern side of the property to protect exposure buildings," Acting Superintendent Clarke said.

"They are unharmed at this stage but there might be some minor paint damage on one of them."

Paramedics are urging people in the vicinity to close doors and windows to avoid the smog.

Anyone suffering breathing difficulties should call Triple Zero.

Queensland Ambulance Service has reported no patients but crews remain on standby at the scene.

Police have told motorists to avoid the area.