A suspicious fire has engulfed an empty factory frequented by squatters in Bundoora.
Firefighters arrived at the factory in Mirra Court on Friday evening about 6.30pm to find it well alight.
The 35 by 40-metre building, located in an industrial allotment, was abandoned but police believe squatters lived there.
The fire was fast and fierce because the walls of the building were made of a highly flammable material, said a Metropolitan Fire Brigade spokesman.
More than 25 firefighters battled the blaze and Commander Glenn Brown praised the efforts of fire crews in protecting nearby property.
As a result of the fire, the building is unstable and in danger of collapse. A number of air conditioning units have fallen through the roof.
The City of Whittlesea has organised a building surveyor to assess the damage before deciding on the future of the factory building.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Clair White said an arson chemist will also investigate.
The fire has been deemed suspicious.
This story first appeared in The Age
