Fire crews return to Melbourne CBD high-rise building after blaze reignites

A blaze on top of a high-rise building in central Melbourne caught fire for a second time overnight, and crews have revealed how it started.

A blaze in a high-rise Melbourne CBD building reignited, forcing fire crews to return to the scene a second time in seven hours.

Thick smoke billowed from the fire on the roof of the Queen Street building on Tuesday afternoon and then again about 12.05am on Wednesday.

Fire Rescue Victoria responded to reports of an “orange glow” and were on the scene again in less than five minutes.

Fire crews investigated the rooftop on the ninth storey where they discovered a small mulch fire in a garden bed.

“Crews pulled the garden bed apart and commenced wetting it down to ensure the fire had been completely extinguished,” a Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said.

“Firefighters used thermal imaging cameras over the rooftop to ensure there were no remaining hot spots.

“FRV’s specialist fire investigation unit will attend the incident on Wednesday morning to continue to analyse the cause of the fire.”

Crews remained on scene as a precaution until about 3am.

Earlier, plumes of black smoke filled the city skyline from the blaze just before 5pm.

The fire was declared under control about 5.20pm.

Smoke was spotted billowing from a Melbourne building.

Shocked onlookers shared photos on social media, saying the “whole city (was) smoking”.

The fire department pleaded with those nearby to keep their distance and protect themselves from the smoke.

“If you are affected by smoke, close your doors and windows and switch off reverse-cycle airconditioning units,” the FRV spokesperson said.

Originally published as Fire crews return to Melbourne CBD high-rise building after blaze reignites