Man fighting for life, five others injured after 'massive' explosion at factory in northern Victoria

A man is fighting for his life and five others have been seriously injured after an explosion at a recycling plant in northern Victoria.

Firefighters were called to the factory on the Goulburn Valley Highway in Shepparton North after the explosion occurred at about 8am.

It's understood workers were crushing aerosol cans when the shredder machine exploded.

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Shane was one of 15 staff who was on-site at 8am. He saw his boss running towards the fire, trying to put it out.

"It was massive," he said.

"First and worst incident I have experienced in the factory."

A man believed to be in his 40s was airlifted to The Alfred in Melbourne in a critical condition, while a man believed to be in his 60s was also been flown there in a serious condition.

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Two women, who suffered serious injuries, were taken to local hospital Goulburn Valley Health, along with two men who suffered minor injuries.

It's understood all of the six patients suffered burns.

Operations at the factory have ceased for now but staff have been told the business should reopen by the end of the week.

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