One SKM worker told Channel Nine the recycling factor was hit with a fire just last week.
"We had a fire last Monday and that was for about eight or nine hours," Andrew Taylor said.
"Apparently they had one 10 years ago, the same sort of thing. It burnt the whole place down."
More on the SKM fire: Smoke is blowing over Campbellfield, Coolaroo and Dallas area.
Residents affected by smoke should take shelter indoors immediately, close all exterior doors, windows and vents and ensure that heating and cooling systems are turned off. Bring your pets indoors and if you are driving, close the windows and turn off the air conditioning.
The Maffra and Lisa streets are closed and people are advised to avoid the area as emergency vehicles need access.
The SKM Recycling fire is not yet under control and began around 3.30am, with 45 fire vehicles called to the scene.
A Metropolitan Fire Brigade spokesman said firefighters had called in foam resources as there was trouble putting the fire out.
"It's going to be a day-long event, probably a couple of days," he said.
He said plastic and paper inside the recycling plant would need to be turned over and doused to dampen out the fire.
Massive factory fire in Coolaroo. Smoke warning for nearby residents. Details all morning @TheTodayShow pic.twitter.com/wIJNZMOmNS
— Christine Ahern (@ChristineAhern) February 27, 2017
About 100 workers have been evacuated from a massive recycling factory SKM Recycling in Maffra Street, Coolaroo.
Smoke is blowing over the Campbellfield, Coolaroo and Dallas area with some drivers reporting smoke over the Western Ring Road.
Fire at a recycling plant in Coolaroo blanketing surrounding suburbs in smoke. 100 workers evacuated, 98 fire fighters on scene. @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/QBb61MMe5E
— Pat Mitchell (@patty_mitchell) February 27, 2017
The headlines: On-street car parking should be permanently removed from Sydney Road and replaced with platform tram stops, wider footpaths and separated bike lanes, and the RACV says it will benefit motorists; students who have dropped out of school, or who have been expelled, are waiting months or even years before they can re-enrol with some locked out forever; and responsibility for the worst Oscars gaffe in history has gone to ... the accountants.
A cyclist makes his way along Sydney Road in Brunswick. Photo: Joe Armao, Fairfax Media.
Welcome to Melbourne Express and happy Shrove Tuesday - the excuse for everyone to eat pancakes. Good Food writer Jill Dupleix says there are pancake people and there are … actually, there are only pancake people. Agree or disagree the recipes attached look great.
I can tell you straight up there has been a major factory fire in Melbourne's north, back soon with the details and more.
Jill Dupleix's Canadian flapjacks with hot maple syrup. Photo: Willam Meppem
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