Firefighters have brought a blaze at a retirement village under control in Melbourne's southeast after residents were forced to evacuate.
The fire started about 1pm on Wednesday in the roof area of a recreational centre at Blue Hills Retirement Village in Cranbourne East, with up to 40 firefighters on hand to battle the blaze.
The building's large recreational centre, which houses an after-school care facility, swimming pool and gym, was almost burning "end to end" when crews arrived, Country Fire Authority operations officer Paul Summons said.
"The recreational facility is totally destroyed by fire," he told reporters outside the scene.
"But the good news is that no further damage to any other facilities or the chapel ... were recorded."
Residents of the village left their premises despite no units being affected.
Nearby residents are still being urged to shut doors, close windows, avoid smoke and monitor conditions.
Paramedics attended the scene but no one required treatment, an Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said.
Emergency services will remain on the scene and the cause of the fire will be investigated once the "hot and dangerous" conditions ease, Mr Summons said.
