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AAP
AAP
Business
Liz Hobday

Firefighters battle big battery blaze

Firefighters are trying to contain a blaze at a Tesla battery installation west of Melbourne. (AAP)

Firefighters are battling a blaze at Victoria's "big battery" project west of Melbourne, and nearby residents are being warned of toxic smoke in the area.

The fire started during testing of the Tesla battery set up on Friday morning at Geelong-Ballan Road and Atkinsons Road in Moorabool.

Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus are trying to contain the fire and stop it spreading to nearby batteries, while a firefighting drones are also being deployed.

The 13 tonne lithium battery that caught fire is encased in a shipping container.

The "big battery" is slated to become the biggest battery in the southern hemisphere, and forms part of a state government push to transition to renewable energy.

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