A large fire at a disused gym near the Westfield shopping centre in Doncaster has been deemed under control by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

The fire, at a building in Lawford Street, is close to the shopping centre's bus terminals and has sent black smoke billowing across surrounding suburbs with the MFB earlier warning people to take shelter indoors.

Footage of the fire shows bright orange flames engulfing the brick building.

The MFB has issued a watch and act statement urging anyone at Westfield Shoppingtown near Williams and Lawford streets to take shelter indoors and to keep roads clear so emergency services can access the site.