An abandoned Somerton tip formerly run by a company being prosecuted by Hume council was hit by fire on Friday, requiring 35 CFA and MFB vehicles to attend.
Fire crews were called to the scene at 2.30am to control the blaze.
The Country Fire Authority also issued A Watch and Act message to surrounding residents and businesses between Craigieburn Road, Hume Highway, Bridgewater Road/Donald Cameron Drive and Somerton Road because of the significant amount of smoke issuing from the fire.
Peole within this area are to stay indoors and close windows and switch off any external ventilation such as air conditioning.
All staff from neighbouring business Honda were evacuated that morning, with the Watch and Act Warning still in place at 3pm on Friday.
The fire also caused traffic chaos in the area with the Hume Highway (Sydney Road) closed between Patullos Lane and Cooper Street.
Legal action
Hume council began legal action to force company director Gene Skliar, of Ecotec Woodwaste, to clean-up the Patullos Lane site near the Hume Freeway over 12 months ago.
Mayor Helen Patsikatheodorou said when she heard the tip was on fire she was horrified.
PICTURE: EDDIE JIM
“We have pursued them for over a year, through the Environment Protection Authority, VCAT, through the courts, we want them to clean-up the site and make it safe,” she said.
“But they’ve made a quick buck and put the whole community at risk.”
The council’s case against Ecotec Woodwaste is still before the court. It was last heard before the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court last week.
The council claims the business owners have been operating “an old-fashioned tip” since April last year, without a planning permit.
PICTURE: MELINDA BENNET/MFB
Ecotec Woodwaste occupies the rear of a large block on the eastern side of the Hume Highway. Mr Skliar says Ecotec is a refuse disposal company that collects commercial and organic waste and burns it at a very high temperature in a machine.
A large fire also broke out at the site in September last year and continued to smoulder fro two weeks afterwards.
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