Relief for Melbourne residents after grassfire threatens homes

 Relief for Melbourne residents after grassfire threatens homes

Residents in Melbourne's north-west are breathing a sigh of relief as warnings about a grassfire which at one point threatened homes have been downgraded.

Two watch and act warnings were issued for the out-of-control blaze in Mernda just after 5pm as it travelled in a south-easterly direction from the Mernda Central wetlands towards Hathfelde Boulevard.

Residents who live directly next to the grassland were being urged to quickly move two or more streets away about 5.20pm.

But firefighters advised at 6.15pm that the threat from the fire has reduced.

The Mernda train line has also been suspended between Mernda and South Morang and replaced with buses.

Around 14 firetrucks were battling the blaze, which is believed to have started just before 5pm.