This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A huge fire at a warehouse containing toxic materials in Melbourne’s west could burn for days, authorities have warned, as they prepare to spend the night battling the blaze.

More than 50 primary schools and childcare centres were closed on Thursday as plumes of acrid smoke spewed from the fire at the factory in West Footscray.

Around 140 firefighters were at the scene and had succeeded in forcing the flames back from the perimeter of the site. It was declared under control on Thursday night.

“This is one of the biggest we have seen in Melbourne for a long time,” Greg Leach, acting chief of Metropolitan fire brigade, told reporters.

Explosions have been heard coming from the building and a watch and act alert for smoke concerns has been issued for western suburbs including Footscray, Tottenham, Yarraville, Kingsville, South Kingsville and Sunshine.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest More than 20 fire trucks are at the West Footscray site where the sounds of explosions can be heard. Photograph: David Crosling/AAP

A steel recycling company was in the process of moving into the tin and asbestos warehouse which housed aerosols and over 40 drums containing grease, oil and acetone residues that have fuelled the flames.

People in the nearby areas have been urged to close their windows and doors, turn off their air-conditioning systems and bring their pets inside.

Brown said firefighters are being rotated to minimise their exposure to any toxins.

“We’ve still got some quite active fire in the middle of the fire. We’ve had no reports of injuries and we’re really making sure we focus on firefighters’ welfare,” he said.

A specialist fire engine is due to be brought in on Thursday afternoon in a bid to minimise further smoke plumes, before a weather change arrives at 4pm.

“We’re pulling all stops out to drop the smoke down to minimise the impact on the community. Then we’ll work through the night. We’ll be here overnight fully extinguishing this fire until tomorrow,” Brown said.





“If people are inside the plume, they shouldn’t be there. They should avoid it at all costs,” Brown said.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Thick black smoke spews from the fire in West Footscray in Melbourne. Photograph: David Crosling/AAP

“They should stay indoors, close their windows, close their air conditioning and if they can go somewhere else, that’s even better. We’re working really hard to try and minimise the exposure of the smoke and we’ll do our best to make sure that we monitor the effects of this fire on the community.”



Brown said the MFB was working with the Environment Protection Authority to monitor air quality near the blaze.

“We’ve had no spikes outside the area that we’re concerned about at the moment. But with the weather moving in and changing, we’re looking at a strategy that we can try and minimise as much smoke impact on the community over the next couple of hours.”