Recycling ‘not expected’ to be affected by huge blaze at Melbourne plant

Melbourne’s recycling services are not expected to be affected after a large blaze tore through a plant in the city’s north.

The blaze at SKM Recycling, on Maffra Road in Coolaroo, broke out about 3.30am and raged out-of-control for five hours.

It has since been brought under control.

The centre usually handles the recycling of 14 council areas, including Melbourne City and Glen Eira.

Waste from these areas is expected to be redirected to the SKM centre in Laverton North this week, a City of Melbourne spokesperson told 9news.com.au.

Thick, black smoke from the fire could be seen as far as 40km away in Hoppers Crossing, as well as from the city and the beach-side suburb of Brighton.

About 140 Metropolitan Fire Brigade and Country Fire Authority firefighters battled the blaze, and were forced to evacuate at one point due to an explosion.

Efforts were also hampered by dense recycling materials inside the factory.

“We had a fire last Monday and that was for about eight or nine hours,” factory worker Andrew Taylor told the TODAY Show this morning.

The factory burned down in November 2011 and the rebuilt plant was evacuated last Monday when a dust extraction system caught alight.

During today’s fire, a man aged in his 30s was treated for smoke inhalation.

Paramedics have advised anyone struggling with wheezing, chest tightness or difficulty breathing to phone triple-0, or Nurse on Call on 1300 60 60 24.

A 'watch and act' message was issued earlier today and advised nearby residents to close windows and vents, but the message was downgraded at 9.15am.

Some streets near the factory remain closed.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.