VMCH would like to share a safety warning in relation to a large factory fire in West Footscray. There is a large amount of toxic smoke, which may affect the area within a 2km radius of Somerville Road.

Suburbs that may be affected includes Brooklyn, Kingsville, Tottenham, West Footscrary, Altona North, Braybrook Footscray, South Kingsville, Spotswood, Sunshine and Yarraville.

For our residents who live at St Bernadette’s Residential Aged Care, in Sunshine North, we are monitoring the situation and ensuring their safety.

People that are sensitive to smoke, particularly older people or children, should close windows and doors. The MFB advise that residents close to the area or who are directly under the smoke plume to turn off heating and cooling systems to avoid smoke entering their home.

VMCH Safety and Risk Manager, Michael Carley, advised that people with a friend or loved one in the area that might be vulnerable, particularly older people, may want to check in on them with a phone call.

The MFB is also urging people to avoid the area, and keep the roads clear so that emergency services can respond.