- Published:
- Tuesday, 2 January 2024 at 4:47 am
Wednesday 3 January 7am: Crews have made significant progress in tackling the fire at a recycling facility in Laverton North overnight.
The fire is still burning, but the response has now been downgraded, with many appliances and crews returned to their respective stations.
There are now four crews on scene, pulling apart the scrap metal and extinguishing all flames and hot spots.
Ambulance Victoria paramedics are on scene monitoring firefighters’ health.
The Salvation Army is on site providing firefighters with food.
Firefighters are expected to remain on scene until at least midday.
Nearby residents could still see and smell smoke in the area.
Tuesday 2 January 5.30pm: The fire at Laverton North is now under control, contained to a large pile of scrap metal.
The fire will likely continue to burn throughout the night, with crews to remain on scene over coming hours.
Approximately 12 workers evacuated the site when the fire first broke out, and nobody was injured.
Victoria Police also evacuated nearby factories.
Incident controller Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Brown said specialist pumpers and aerial appliances were being used to attack the fire.
FRV's scientific officers and hazmat officers are also on scene monitoring smoke plumes.
Tuesday 2 January 3.30pm: More than 70 FRV firefighters are responding to a significant fire at an industrial site at Plummer Road in Laverton North.
Crews arrived at the scene at 1.51pm, finding a large amount of recycling material was on fire.
Many crews have deployed, including specialist aerial appliances.
A Community Information advice has been issued for smoke across Melbourne's western suburbs and the wider city.
There is no immediate threat to the community and no action is required.
The Environment Protection Authority is on site to monitor air conditions.
Melbourne Water is also on scene, as well as Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police.
WorkSafe has been briefed on the situation.
Updated