More than 70 firefighters were called to control a large blaze at the Little Saigon Market in Footscray, in Melbourne's west, reports ABC News.

Firefighters were called about 6:30 a.m. after thick smoke was seen billowing from the area. It took them six hours to get the blaze under control.

Surrounding roads were closed and residents were told to shut their doors and windows.

The fire is believed to have started in a refrigeration room and caused by a short circuit in some machinery and was not being treated as suspicious.

The market is made up of about 25 small businesses including restaurants, a bakery, and an Asian market.

Fire crews are worried the internal and external walls of the building could still collapse.

VOV