Sunshine tip fire: Third Ave waste management site blaze under investigation

Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a waste management site in Sunshine.

Investigators are working to determine the cause of a fire at an e-waste facility in Sunshine.

An industrial fire at a Sunshine e-waste management site which sent smoke billowing last night is under investigation.

Firefighters were called to a factory on Third Ave about 10.30pm on Thursday, February 18 following a report of thick black smoke issuing from the single-storey building.

Once inside, crews found an e-waste shredding hopper and its contents on fire at the rear of the building.

Fire Services Victoria specialist hazmat crews, an EPA field officers and scientific advisers were called in to assess the nature of the fire amid concerns there may be hazardous materials involved.

About 22 firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control, as well as an aerial unit.

Fire crews remained on site overnight with investigators expected to arrive on scene this morning to determine the cause of the blaze.

A Fire Services Victoria spokesman said the investigation would likely be “quite complicated” due to the nature of the materials at the site.

“The fire is pretty much extinguished but we’re now monitoring the water run-off but we’re pretty confident we can contain it to the site,” he said.

There was no one inside the factory at the time of the incident and no injuries were reported.