Residents in Melbourne’s north-west have been warned of concerning air quality after a fire started at a tip on Sunbury Road in Bulla on Tuesday morning.
Thirteen fire crews attended the scene and were able to control the blaze, but think plumes of smoke are still causing concern for firefighters and local residents, who have been advised to avoid the area where possible.
The site of the blaze was also revealed to be the site of exposed asbestos in 2018 by the Victorian branch of the Environmental Protection Agency.
According to a statement on the facility’s website, material that had been marked as inappropriately disposed of by the EPA had since been moved to temporary stockpiles, and the company was utilising a qualified third party to monitor air quality testing at the site.
Residents in the vicinity of the fire have been advised to close windows and turn off air conditioning units due to the poor air quality, and those who have respiratory illnesses and the elderly should limit time outside where possible.
Affected areas include Bulla, Diggers Rest, Greenvale, Keilor North, Melbourne Airport, Oaklands Junction, Sunbury and Wildwood.