Emergency crews are dismantling a damaged 40-metre crane that forced the evacuation of hundreds of Melbourne residents due to fears it could collapse.
Two smaller cranes are at the Lennox Street site in Richmond for the salvage operation after the larger structure was damaged in strong winds on Monday night.
It's expected to take several hours. Road closures will remain in place and trams will continue to be diverted.
The emergency on Monday night sparked the immediate and precautionary evacuation of about 300 residents, who were taken to an emergency relief centre set up at Richmond Town Hall.
Some were allowed to return to their properties on Tuesday but other residents living within 100sq/m of the site had to spend another night away from home.
It's hoped the remaining 80 or so people may start returning on Wednesday if the stabilisation and dismantling operation is successful.
"We're a little bit dictated to on how quickly we can move because of the inclement weather," Victoria Police Inspector Rebecca Draper-Schultheiss has said.
State Emergency Services Minister James Merlino said there will be an investigation once the crane has been taken down.
"As soon as that is done in a safe manner when the weather permits, then there will be a WorkSafe investigation," he said on Wednesday.
WorkSafe hasn't ruled out laying charges over the incident which resulted in the arm of the crane to bend backwards, leaving broken pieces hanging in the air.
Michael Clark from Clark Cranes, which owns the structure, said on Tuesday it appeared the crane arm wasn't left in a position which would have allowed it to move freely in windy conditions.
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