A FIRE that ripped through a Laverton North recycling depot last night was one of the largest blazes in Melbourne this year, according to the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.
Up to 70 firefighters, 14 pumpers and three aerial units attended the scene at the height of the blaze as the Australian Paper Recovery’s plastics shed went up in flames about 6.30pm.
MFB spokesman Commander Rob Purcell said crews took almost three hours to bring the blaze under control.
‘‘We only get about five fires this big [per year]. There aren’t many that take this much effort to put out,’’ he said.
Investigators are at the scene today trying to determine the cause of the blaze that caused an estimated $2 million damage to the Norwest Avenue premises.
Commander Purcell said authorities were struggling to access the building fearing it could collapse.
“These kinds of constructions are notoriously unstable after fires, so we’ll be opening up the building today at some stage with assistance of building surveyors to determine if it’s safe,’’ he said.
Fire crews are continuing to monitor the smouldering remains and have cordoned off Dohertys Road.
“We’ll be on the scene for another 12 hours, maybe more, given the amount of fuel involved,’’ Commander Purcell said.
Australian Paper Recovery managing director Darren Thorpe said while the fire was devastating for the company, it was fortunate there were no injuries.
‘‘You can replace the property, you can replace the building, but you can’t replace people,’’ he said.
