Firefighters battle large fire in Nunawading

Update 2.00pm

Whitehorse Road citybound was reopened about 1.30pm and crews will work to reopen the road in an eastbound direction in the next two hours (about 4pm).

Update 9.45am

This incident was deemed Under Control at 6.28am.

Fire activity has decreased although FRV and CFA crews will remain on scene for the remainder of the day.

Whitehorse Road Nunawading remains closed in both directions.

5.11am

At 2.21am, Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) responded to an incident in Whitehorse Road, Nunawading after callers to Triple Zero (000) reported a building fire.

FRV and CFA firefighters arrived on scene within six minutes to find a two-storey structure issuing large volumes of smoke.

The response was escalated with crews attacking the fire externally with aerial fire trucks.

The fire has spread to an adjacent building.

Victoria Police have evacuated 25 to 30 people from nearby residences. No injuries have been reported.

Approximately 95 firefighters are on scene with about 26 firefighting appliances attending.

Whitehorse Road is currently blocked in both directions.

A community advice was issued for smoke in the area travelling in a southwest direction.

Ambulance Victoria are on scene assisting with operations.

The fire has been deemed suspicious.

ENDS