Fire in Wantirna transfer station causes plumes of dense, smelly smoke, CFA reports

Firefighters have revealed the cause of a fire that broke out at a Wantirna tip around 9am, causing dense plumes of black smelly smoke. SEE VIDEO

Firefighters have revealed the cause of a fire that broke out at a Wantirna tip around 9am, causing dense plumes of black smelly smoke.

A pile of mattresses caught alight at the Knox recycling plant this morning, sending huge plumes of black smoke into the air.

The CFA was alerted to the fire at 9.41am at the Knox Transfer Station and Recycling Facility on George St Wantirna South.

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A state control centre media spokeswoman said the fire was believed to have started in an area where mattresses were being shredded.

“There was a lot of smoke because of the type of fire,” she said.

MFB and @CFA_Updates crews worked together to fight a fire at a transfer station in Wantirna South this morning. Their hard work ensured the fire was brought under control just after 10am. pic.twitter.com/h89hEQ1kzu

— MFB (@MFB_NEWS) 28 February 2019

“Ambulance Victoria was on standby at the scene for firefighters welfare.

“The smoke was as much of a concern as anything else.”

About 14 fire trucks attended the scene.

The fire is now under control, but crews will remain in the area for the next couple of hours extinguishing shouldering material.

The fire caused thick, stinking smoke. Picture: Serena Seyfort

There is currently no threat to the community, but neighbours are asked to stay informed and monitor conditions.

Fire crews were called to a similar fire at the centre in October after “dozens” of reports that 400 mattresses were alight.

It’s the latest in a number of fires at the site.

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