Explosions, smoke from huge Campbellfield factory fire

Winds are spreading smoke from a massive chemical factory blaze across multiple suburbs as 80 firefighters battle a huge fire in Melbourne.

More than 80 firefighters are battling a massive chemical factory blaze which is spreading huge black clouds of smoke across Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Fire crews were called at 6.40am to Campbellfield, with explosions heard at the scene.

Thirty workers escaped the blaze before firefighters arrived at the Thornycroft St factory.

The inferno has been upgraded to a watch and act, with anyone in Broadmeadows, Pascoe Vale and Coburg told to take shelter indoors immediately.

The fire started in Campbellfield at 6.40am. Picture: Channel Nine

The fire is sending thick black smoke across Melbourne's north. Picture: Tony Gough

Thick black smoke from the fire. Picture: Tony Gough

The Environment Protection Authority Victoria suspended the licence of a waste storage and disposal company in the same street as the fire just two weeks ago.

On March 13, EPA officers inspected the Bradbury Industrial Services site and found more waste than allowed was being stored and containers were not being properly labelled.

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#BREAKING Aerial footage of massive Campbellfield factory fire. pic.twitter.com/glcmfwsRG9

— Paul Dowsley (@pauldowsley7) April 4, 2019

— Email pictures to [e-mail]

Holy Child School at Dallas has confirmed it’s closed today because of the smoke from the blaze.

A wind change will push the smoke south.

Authorities have warned residents near the fire to close their windows and doors, and turn off heating and cooling systems, if they are sensitive to smoke.

Drivers are also urged to avoid the area.

The warnings have been issued for Campbellfield, Coolaroo, Somerton.

An aerial image of the factory fire in Campbellfield. Picture: Channel 9

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michael Efrom said smoke from the fire was moving south towards the city and bayside suburbs.

“We’re looking west from Docklands and we can see it (the smoke) as well out the window,” he said.

Rising temperatures throughout the day ahead of an expected top of 27C in the city would help the smoke disperse, Mr Efron said.

“At the moment the atmospheric conditions are such that the smoke is trapped in the low levels of the atmosphere. But in the morning with the temperatures going up we will see that smoke disperse,” he said.

Smoke spreading from the blaze this morning. Picture: Matt Kitchin

More than 20 trucks are on the scene in Melbourne's north. Picture: 9 News

Something is fishy at Campbellfield.... #Melbourne pic.twitter.com/pFW2xDJY6k

— Gopichand Bommineni (@GopiBommineni) April 4, 2019

The cause of the fire is not known.

The fire seen from the Portarlington ferry. Picture supplied by reader Mark Carswell

It is the latest in a series of warehouse and factory fires to impact Melbourne’s industrial areas and comes just weeks after investigators found another large collection of chemical stockpiles in a West Footscray warehouse.

No injuries have been reported so far.

More to come