4PM UPDATE: The hazmat incident at Epping has now been downgraded.
There is no immediate risk to the community at this time.
Hume and Whittlesea councils along with EPA and WorkSafe are coordinating with the site occupier to arrange a staged removal of inappropriately stored chemical waste at the sites.
Appropriate security will be in place while the stored waste is removed.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) today coordinated a number of targeted inspections of industrial sites in Epping and Campbellfield in partnership with fire agencies, Victoria Police and WorkSafe.
The inspections were the result of EPA’s investigative work following leads in the wake of the August West Footscray warehouse fire.
Potentially hazardous material has been detected being stored within warehouses at several sites.
Fire agencies have now assumed control of an incident related to sites in Epping. For the latest information and advice visit VicEmergency.
EPA will not be commenting further as the sites are now part of active investigations.
EPA’s priority is always to prevent harm to the community and the environment from pollution and waste.