The severity of a large factory fire in Melbourne’s west has been downgraded after firefighters spent the night battling the flames.
A large pile of scrap metal is still burning after it caught fire beside a recycling facility on Plummer Road in Laverton North about 1.45pm yesterday.
The 10-metre tall fire sent clouds of black smoke over the city after windy conditions encouraged the blaze to spread.
”There are now four crews on scene, pulling apart the scrap metal and extinguishing all flames and hot spots,” Fire Rescue Victoria said in a statement today.
“Firefighters are expected to remain on scene until at least midday.”
Those nearby can still see and smell smoke in the area but a high chance of showers forecast today should help conditions continue to ease.
No one has been reported injured, as 12 factory workers and nearby industry sites were swiftly evacuated when the fire broke out yesterday.
Melburnians were, however, urged to avoid the area with nearby residents warned to stay indoors over concerns of air quality and smoke.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria was also at the scene to protect local waterways.
Heavy rainfall over the city helped firefighters contain the blaze by about 5pm.
But the fire was “deep-seeded” and crews would have to work into the night, FRV Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Brown said yesterday.
It is not known what has caused the fire but WorkSafe has been briefed.
(9 NEWS)
