Almost 100 fire trucks across Melbourne will be cleaned following an asbestos scare.
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) has hired experts to clean every truck at its 47 fire stations across the city after asbestos was found at its Thornbury mechanics workshop.
The workshop, which is used for servicing fire trucks, has been closed until further notice and the engine bays of every station will be cleaned as a precaution.
MFB chief executive Nick Easy says the risk to safety is low and unlikely.
"We are not aware of any health and safety consequences at this stage, but we are taking every precaution," Mr Easy said.
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But United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall says firefighters are concerned.
"The risk may be low, but we know that even the slightest exposure can lead to terminal illness, such as mesothelioma," Mr Marshall said.
The MFB says the clean-up operation will not impact on firefighting capabilities.
All trucks will be cleaned but the clean-up will be co-ordinated and staggered so the brigade's capability is not diminished, a MFB spokesman said.
Firefighters have been told to wear masks in fire trucks until the clean-up is completed.
Further testing at the site is expected to take place on Tuesday.
The incident follows last week's asbestos exposure at a fire in West Melbourne, where 30 fire trucks required cleaning.
