Firefighters remain overnight at factory fire on Plummer Rd in Laverton North

An industrial fire continues to burn more than 18 hours after a massive pile of scrap metal sent smoke across Melbourne’s suburbs, with firies now pulling apart the wreckage and finishing off persistent flames and hot spots.

It took more than 70 firefighters over two hours to get a massive blaze under control at an industrial facility in Melbourne’s west.
The inferno at Pacific Metal Group’s Laverton North recycling centre was declared under control late Tuesday afternoon but continued to burn throughout the night.

Fire crews are expected to remain on scene until noon Wednesday.

A blaze has broken out at a factory in Plummer Rd, Laverton North at 1.44pm on Tuesday 2nd January 2023 and has engulfed a pile of metal recycling materials. Credit: 7NEWS

The blaze roared higher than 10 metres and burned through a scrap metal pile approximately 80m by 30m.

On Tuesday afternoon, Incident controller Darren Brown said thankfully everyone was accounted for and neighbouring sites were evacuated as a precaution.

“It will be a long process until the fire is entirely extinguished,” Mr Brown said.

A factory fire at Plummer Rd, Laverton North is still intensifying despite multiple crews battling the blaze with little help from the rain. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/tcJTpDUSoU

— Nilsson Jones (@nilssonjones_) January 2, 2024

“The rain did little to extinguish the fire, but it helped with the smoke; however, because it was a deep-seated and intense fire, crews needed to get above the blaze.”

About a dozen staff from the scrap metal yard were evacuated and no one was injured.

Staff from neighbouring properties were also evacuated as a safety precaution.

Incident controller Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Brown said the cause of the fire was unknown.

The cause of the fire is unknown and is not considered suspicious.

The Victorian branch of The United Firefighters Union took to social media to criticise the lack of equipment at the Sunshine Fire Station.

“A large fire at a metal recycling facility has broken out in Laverton North, yet the specialised Teleboom that normally sits at Sunshine Fire Station that normally would be responded to is unavailable as it has been in parts since February last year with no replacement available, ” the post read.

A large fire at a metal recycling facility has broken out in Laverton North, yet the specialised Teleboom that normally sits at Sunshine Fire Station that normally would be responded is unavailable as its been in parts since February last year.#firecrisisvictoria #springst pic.twitter.com/qG0Ygy1ATt

— United Firefighters Union Victoria (@UFU_Victoria) January 2, 2024

However, the FRV incident controller said that while firefighters could always do with more equipment, they were well-equipped.

FRV’s scientific officers and hazmat officers are also on the scene monitoring smoke plumes.

Despite the rain and thunder brewing overhead on Tuesday, the fire continued to intensify, burning dangerously close to the powerlines.

Police have blocked access to Plummer Rd from both ends as multiple fire crews struggle against the blaze.

Police have blocked access to Plummer Rd, Laverton North, from both ends as multiple fire crews struggle against the blaze, which appeared to be expanding despite the rain. Photo: Nilsson Jones.

A pungent smell of smoke reached inner-city and northern suburbs of Melbourne.Emergency services put out information on the Vic Emergency website for anyone living nearby, warning people to stay away from the area.

“There is no immediate threat to the community and no action is required,” the alert stated.

Black smoke could be seen and smelt in the Melbourne’s northern and inner-city suburbs. Picture: supplied.

Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria, Ambulance Victoria, Worksafe, Melbourne Water and Victoria Police remain on the scene to assist firefighters.

“Our people are working hard to protect the local waterways from firewater runoff. If you are nearby stay indoors,” an EPA spokeswoman said.

Pacific Metal Group is one of the largest buyers and importers of scrap metal in the region.

It’s comes as the Bureau of Meteorology on Tuesday warned that severe thunderstorms approaching from Western Victoria will likely lead to flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones in the western suburbs over the next several hours.

As of 8am Wednesday, the fire was still burning, but the response was downgraded, with many appliances and crews returned to their respective stations.

Four crews remained 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 there until at least noon.