PORT MELBOURNE, VIC. — At 5.28am, firefighters responded to a structure fire on Bay Street, Port Melbourne, after callers to triple-zero (000) reported smoke issuing from a roof.
Firefighters arrived on scene within five minutes to find a fire in the roof space of Esse Pilates.
Upon observing the flames, the first fire officers on scene escalated the response.
Crews donned breathing apparatus (BA), attacking the fire externally and internally.
The scene was deemed under control at 6.55am.
Around 20 people from a neighbouring residential building were evacuated safely.
Firefighters will remain on scene until the afternoon to ensure the fire is fully extinguished and make the scene safe.
Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria were also on the scene.
The power and gas companies and a building surveyor were requested to attend.
The fire has not been deemed suspicious at this stage.
