Coolaroo recycling plant fire: Dallas homes evacuated as smoke poses health threat

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-1...-homes/8707334

Residents of more than 100 homes in Melbourne's north have been advised to evacuate as a massive fire continues to burn at a recycling plant at Coolaroo, producing hazardous smoke.

More than 40 people attended a relief centre at a local swimming pool overnight, after police doorknocked 120 homes in neighbouring Dallas when the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) detected a deterioration in air quality.

About nine people were treated by ambulance crews for breathing difficulties, and two men were taken to hospital in a stable condition.

The fire broke out about 9:00am on Thursday, sending smoke billowing across Melbourne's north and west, and ash onto properties more than 15 kilometres away.

MFB Commander Brendan Angwin said it was continuing to burn through thousands of tonnes of plastics, cardboard and paper.

He said it was a difficult fire to extinguish and was likely to continue burning "for at least another couple of days".

"There are huge volumes of fuel in there burning," he told ABC News Breakfast.
"It is extremely difficult to gain access to the fire. We're really concerned for firefighter safety."

Authorities including the state's health department and the EPA were meeting this morning to evaluate the ongoing health risks.

A community meeting will be held at the relief centre, at the Broadmeadows Aquatic and Leisure Centre, at 11:00am.

An evacuation warning issued overnight said: "It is strongly recommended that you evacuate now if you are located in Dallas."

"The air quality in the warning area is hazardous as a result of smoke from the fire located in Maffra Street," the Vic Emergency warning said.

A separate watch and act warning, issued for residents in Broadmeadows, Campbellfield, Dallas, Fawkner, Glenroy, Jacana and Westmeadows, said:

Residents who had not evacuated were advised to keep all windows and doors closed and turn off heating and cooling systems.

Authorities also warned smoke would affect Brunswick, Brunswick West, Coburg, Coburg North, Essendon, Essendon Fields, Fawkner, Glenroy, Hadfield, Moonee Ponds, Oak Park, Pascoe Vale, Pascoe Vale South and Strathmore.

However, there was no threat to the public in those areas, Vic Emergency said.