Fire billows toxic plume across Australian capital

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A factory fire has billowed toxic smoke across Australia's national capital Canberra. The plume has created local disruption and closed many schools, but there are no reports of casualties.

Emergency Services Commissioner Mark Crosweller told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio that fire fighters and police established a 6-mile (10-kilometer) cordon around the factory when the fire started early Friday and advised residents within that area to remain indoors.

Crosweller says firefighters "are a long way from having the fire suppressed, but it is getting better."

Education Department official Jane Johnson says all government schools north of Canberra's central Lake Burley Griffin will remain closed Friday because of the threat of air pollution.

Government official Simon Corbell says bus services and traffic are disrupted.