Fire brigade says crews spotted a large number of beds in some flats in Spencer Street block

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The first photos from within a fire-damaged Melbourne tower covered in combustible cladding have been revealed as authorities raise issues of overcrowding inside the apartments.

Testing to confirm the makeup of exterior cladding on Spencer Street’s NEO 200 tower is yet to be completed, after a cigarette sparked a fire on a 22nd-floor balcony.

The address had previously been identified as “moderate risk” owing to its cladding, and was one of more than 2,000 inspected by the Victorian Building Authority.

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The Metropolitan Fire Brigade assistant chief officer Trent Curtain told reporters that fire crews had noticed a range of fire-safety issues inside apartments at the tower, including large amounts of combustible materials left on balconies and plastic covers over smoke alarms.

“We noticed in some apartments there were a large number of beds … which we think would be inconsistent with the use of the building,” he said.

Hundreds of residents have been evacuated from the Spencer Street complex for at least 48 hours after a City of Melbourne emergency order.

The council said it is likely to take longer before the 40-storey building can be declared safe to occupy, given the extent of damage.

It is understood residents will be permitted to re-enter the building for a short time on Wednesday morning.

An emergency relief centre has reopened at Melbourne town hall for those affected.