Colossal Fire Engulfs Factory in Melbourne's West

A tower of black smoke is rising over Melbourne's west as an out-of-control fire rages in West Footscray.

At 11am more than 100 firefighters were trying to control the blaze.

Fire crews were called to the scene on Somerville Road at 5am this morning to find a 100 metre by 200 metre factory fully alight.

The first crews arrived six minutes after being dispatched and by 6.30am more than 80 firefighters were battling the blaze.

There are 20 firefighting appliances on the scene including fire trucks and helicopters that are tackling the fire externally and from above.

Plumes of toxic smoke may affect the area in a two-kilometre radius around the site of the fire, particularly the suburbs of Brooklyn, Kingsville, Tottenham, West Footscray, Altona North, Braybrook, Footscray, South Kingsville, Spotswood, Sunshine, and Yarraville.

People who are sensitive to smoke are being advised to close their windows and doors and turn off their heating and cooling systems.

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) is urging people to avoid the area and keep roads clear for emergency services. Both sides of Somerville and Paramount roads are currently closed.

Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria are also at the scene, but the cause of the blaze is still unknown.

Environment Protection Agency are at the site of the fire assisting MFB.

More to come.

This article was updated at 12.04am on August 30, 2018.