By Alesha Capone
More than 70 firefighters battled a blaze at a Laverton North recycling plant yesterday.
A triple zero caller reported the Dohertys Road fire just before 6pm, and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) crews were on the scene by 6.04pm.
Crews were met with a “deep-seated” fire that had taken hold of a 50m x 50m pile of recycled metal waste.
FRV issued a watch and act message for residents in Laverton North and Laverton at 6.48pm, advising anyone located in Dohertys Road, Fitzgerald Road, the Federation Trail and Maria Street to take shelter indoors immediately, as a large amount of smoke billowed from the fire.
Dohertys Road, Fitzgerald Road and the Federation Trail were temporarily closed.
The fire was declared under control at 12:50am today (Tuesday).
A FRV statement said that a “high fuel load, significant fire activity and difficult weather conditions made for a challenging fire fight”.
“Thankfully, there have been no reports of injury and Victoria Police assisted with safely evacuating neighbouring occupants,” the statement said.
“Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the pile, with structures and neighbouring buildings protected by fire suppression activities.
“This fire was significant and required a multi-agency response.”
The watch and act was downgraded to a community advice message at 2am this morning.
FRV’s Fire Investigation and Analysis Unit are investigating what may have caused the fire to start.
