Broadmeadows fire: Smoke billowing across northern suburbs

Fire crews have spent their first night battling a massive tyre fire in Melbourne’s north that’s likely to burn for at least another day.

“The smoke is toxic, and if you can, please just watch it on TV”, Zammit said.

It has since burnt through more than 70 per cent of the junk yard’s tyre pile – about 150,000 auto and truck tyres.

Fifty firefighters are scrambling to contain an aggressive blaze in Melbourne as thousands of used tyres go up in smoke.

Incident controller Peter Thomas of the fire brigade said the blaze could still burn for another 24 hours due to the nature of the fire.

“Tyre fires are hard to extinguish”.

The Environment Protection Authority has been monitoring air quality.

Plumes of smoke from the tyre fire at Broadmeadows.

Melbourne Water was capturing the run-off to prevent it getting into waterways, Commander Thomas said.

The firefighters had been supported by two water-bombing helicopters, creating a further spectacle for a number of bystanders.

Fire investigators were expected to arrive at the scene on Tuesday to identify the cause of the fire.

The ABC reported the heat from the fire can be felt more than 100 metres away.

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade issued an alert for Broadmeadows, Campbellfield, Coolaroo, Dallas, Fawkner, Gladstone Park, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Jacana, Lalor, Meadow Heights, Reservoir, Thomastown, Westmeadows.

Maygar Boulevard and Park Street in Broadmeadows are partially closed.