A spectacular fire has gutted Silver Top Taxis' headquarters in Melbourne, causing $1 million damage and sending the city's cab service into chaos.
The fire is thought to have started in a downstairs office on Tuesday morning and spread quickly throughout the timber warehouse-style building in Collingwood, which includes a call centre for taxi bookings.
Silver Top cabs, which make up around 40 to 50 per cent of Melbourne's taxis, were unable to take radio bookings all day.
The Victorian Taxi Association says Silver Top's radio network could be up and running by Wednesday afternoon after a Sydney taxi depot donated its new computer hardware.
The association's executive officer of policy, David Samuel, said Sydney's Premier Cabs, which was about to install new hardware, had sent it down to Silver Top instead and it will be set up overnight enabling bookings to be made by passengers.
"Hopefully by Wednesday afternoon Silver Top should be up and running again," Mr Samuel told AAP.
Silver Top is also being assisted by rival companies that have stayed away from Melbourne airport and city cab ranks leaving the field open to Silver Top drivers.
It is understood historic relics from Victoria's taxi industry are among property to have been destroyed in the blaze, including an original taxi-cart.
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