Residents evacuated from Melbourne CBD hi-rise after 'suspicious' fire engulfs empty warehouse

Residents evacuated from West Melbourne hi-rise after 'suspicious' fire engulfs empty warehouse - ABC NewsSkip to main contentABC NewsJust InFor YouPoliticsUS ElectionWorldBusinessAnalysisSportLifestyleEntertainmentMoreSearch the news, stories & peopleLog inNews HomeJust InFor YouAnalysisRuralWatch LiveHealthIndigenousPoliticsUS ElectionScienceElectionsWorldEnvironmentInvestigationsBusinessFact CheckLocal newsSportAFLNRLFootballTennisCricketNetballLifestyleWellbeingRelationships & FamilyFood & RecipesPersonal FinanceHome & GardenEntertainmentTV & MoviesBooksMusicPop CultureArtsYour ABC AccountPersonalise the news andstay in the knowLog in to personaliseFacebookYouTubeInstagramTwitterEmergencyBackstoryNewsletters中文新闻BERITA BAHASA INDONESIATOK PISINABCABC iViewABC ListenTriple JABC KidsABC NewsABC News News HomeResidents evacuated from West Melbourne hi-rise after 'suspicious' fire engulfs empty warehouseShare Residents evacuated from West Melbourne hi-rise after 'suspicious' fire engulfs empty warehouseTopic:FiresFri 15 NovFriday 15 NovemberFri 15 Nov 2024 at 10:10pmLoading...In short:An overnight fire at an empty warehouse in West Melbourne, which took more than two hours to control, has been deemed suspicious.About 150 people from a nearby apartment building were evacuated after the fire broke out, with alternative accommodation being arranged for affected residents. What's next?A crime scene has been established as authorities investigate the blaze.abc.net.au/news/west-melbourne-spencer-street-warehouse-fire/104609366Link copiedShareShare articleAn early-morning warehouse fire in West Melbourne that caused the evacuation of 150 apartment residents has been deemed suspicious.Emergency services were called to a fire at Spencer Street just before 2am on Saturday and found a warehouse fully engulfed in flames.It took 60 firefighters more than two hours to control the blaze, which involved using specialist firefighting equipment including aerial platforms, Fire Rescue Victoria said.Aerial firefighting equipment was used to contain the blaze. (ABC News)The fire threatened an adjacent high-rise building, resulting in the evacuation of about 150 residents.Nearby resident Ashiqr said he evacuated his apartment after hearing the fire trucks, and watched the fire with dozens of other people while it was being extinguished."It was amazing scary, I was shocked," he said.Nearby resident Ashiqr  (ABC News)Another resident said she evacuated her apartment after seeing the flames from her window."We were sleeping, and I just looked out the window and it was completely smoky," she said."We tried to run down as fast as we could."Fire Rescue Victoria said affected residents had since been allowed to visit their apartments under police escort while alternative accommodation was being arranged.Spencer Street was blocked off to traffic in both directions and a community warning was issued for smoke.Residents from a nearby apartment building were evacuated. (ABC News)Victoria Police said there were no reported injuries and it was believed the building was empty at the time of the fire.Fire Rescue Victoria said the fire was suspicious and police have established a crime scene.Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.Posted Fri 15 Nov 2024 at 10:10pmFriday 15 Nov 2024 at 10:10pmFri 15 Nov 2024 at 10:10pm, updated Yesterday at 1:54amSat 16 Nov 2024 at 1:54amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesDaughters cling to hope Japan will acquit Perth mum who they say was victim of romance scamTopic:Courts and TrialsPhoto shows A photo on a table showing Donna Nelson with her arm around her eldest daughter Ash and another daughter off to the sideXi Jinping tells Biden China 'ready to work' with Trump administrationTopic:APEC Economic Leaders' MeetingsPhoto shows Joe Biden and Xi Jinping wearing dark suits and shaking hands in front of US and Chinese flagsAustralia struggling with oversupply of solar powerTopic:Energy IndustryPhoto shows A solar system on a roof with foliage in the foreground.'It was a mistake': UK residents regret shared home ownership as Australian scheme back in parliamentTopic:Housing PolicyPhoto shows A man with short brown hair wears a pink shirt while looking neutrally at the cameraAlbanese unlikely to detail emissions target before next electionTopic:Environmental PolicyPhoto shows Anthony Albanese wearing a dark suit and red spotted tiePopular nowWith Prince Andrew given a reprieve from an 'anonymous donor', William inherits his father's real estate woesTopic:RoyaltyPhoto shows Prince William leans down with an overgrown beard and his lips pursed.Australia struggling with oversupply of solar powerTopic:Energy IndustryPhoto shows A solar system on a roof with foliage in the foreground.After Jake Paul mocked Mike Tyson, he uttered four words that nobody wanted to hearSAnalysis by Simon SmalePhoto shows Mike Tyson sits with a towel around his neckRelated topicsFiresWest MelbourneTop StoriesDaughters cling to hope Japan will acquit Perth mum who they say was victim of romance scamTopic:Courts and TrialsPhoto shows A photo on a table showing Donna Nelson with her arm around her eldest daughter Ash and another daughter off to the sideXi Jinping tells Biden China 'ready to work' with Trump administrationTopic:APEC Economic Leaders' MeetingsAustralia struggling with oversupply of solar powerTopic:Energy Industry'It was a mistake': UK residents regret shared home ownership as Australian scheme back in parliamentTopic:Housing PolicyAlbanese unlikely to detail emissions target before next electionTopic:Environmental PolicyJust InInvestigations underway into plane crash that killed 20yo pilot, two teenagers in VictoriaTopic:Air and Space Accidents and Incidents30m ago30 minutes agoSun 17 Nov 2024 at 5:49amAirbnb's plan to host 'gladiator' battles at Rome's Colosseum causes outrageTopic:Travel and Tourism (Lifestyle and Leisure)50m ago50 minutes agoSun 17 Nov 2024 at 5:29amFemale pedestrian dies after being hit by ute in Jerrabomberra Topic:Road Accidents and Incidents1h ago1 hours agoSun 17 Nov 2024 at 5:05amWhat is Bluesky, the fast-growing platform welcoming former X users?Topic:Internet Culture1h ago1 hours agoSun 17 Nov 2024 at 4:57amMore Just InBack to topFooterABC News homepageMore From ABC NEWSWe acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work.SectionsABC NEWSJust InWatch LivePoliticsWorldBusinessAnalysisSportScienceHealthEntertainmentLifestyleFact CheckOtherNews in language中文Berita Bahasa IndonesiaTok PisinConnect with ABC NewsFacebookInstagramYouTubeApple NewsX (formerly Twitter)More from ABC NewsContact ABC NEWSThis service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced.AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)Editorial PoliciesAccessibilityHelpContact UsAbout the ABCPrivacy PolicyTerms of Use© 2024 ABC