Fire at Glenorchy tip started in mattresses being set alight, police say - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The fire at Glenorchy tip on Friday night. (Supplied: Sally Rose McShane)

An overnight fire at a tip in Hobart's north is being treated as suspicious, Tasmania Police say.

The blaze at the Jackson Street Landfill and Recycling Centre, in Glenorchy, began on Friday night, with fire crews attending overnight.

Police said mattresses were set alight, with the fire then spreading to other waste.

This photo shows the fire well alight. (Supplied: Rachel Smith)

Nearby residents posted photos of the fire on social media, with a smoke alert issued for people in the affected area.

As of 8:30am on Saturday, the fire had been brought under control. 

Justin Park, station officer at Hobart Fire Brigade, said a morning inspection of the scene showed what appeared to be "three separate seats of the fire".

Mr Park said mattresses are "very volatile and fire crews did a good job to contain it".

He said the investigation into the incident could take weeks.

Fire crews were at the scene on Saturday monitoring the aftermath. (ABC News: Meg Whitfield)

Glenorchy Council chief executive Emilio Reale said it appeared somebody had "broken in through the back of the landfill site, and avoided the CCTV cameras".

He said a fuel container was found at the site with a second attempted ignition point away from the mattress pile.

"That didn't burn, luckily, as that would have gone up the hill into bushland," he said.

The fire could be seen from some distance. (Supplied: Ben Holton)

Anyone with information about the fire can contact police on 131 444.

Information can also be supplied anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au.