Firefighters tirelessly battled a massive blaze at a chemical factory in Derrimut, Melbourne, through the night. The fire, ignited by a large explosion early Wednesday morning, sent toxic smoke billowing over the city.
At the height of the inferno, chemical drums were propelled into the air, posing significant dangers for the emergency responders. Despite the severity, no injuries were reported, and the fire was declared under control within about four hours. However, officials expect it to continue burning for several days.
Deputy Commissioner Michelle Cowling of Fire Rescue Victoria described the blaze as the most significant in Melbourne in recent years, necessitating a highly aggressive response. The nearby Western Freeway was closed for several hours, and thousands of residents were advised to stay indoors due to health risks associated with the toxic smoke.
“Smoke is toxic and will cause damage,” Cowling said at the scene.
This incident follows a previous explosion and fire at the same site in October 2023, which resulted in one death and two injuries. While Cowling indicated no connection between the two incidents, the cause of Wednesday’s fire remains under investigation.
The factory houses multiple businesses, including chemical blenders and fuel distributors, with various substances such as kerosene, fuel, methylated spirits, and methanol stored on-site. University of Melbourne academic Gabriel Da Silva noted that while all smoke is toxic, the primary concern was the large volume of smoke rather than direct chemical exposure.
“The risk from the chemicals here has been largely about the fire itself, rather than people being exposed to harmful compounds,” Da Silva explained. He expressed particular concern for individuals with asthma, given the lingering smoke in the area.
Efforts are ongoing to prevent fire runoff from contaminating waterways. Authorities have urged anyone who does not need to be in the vicinity to stay away over the coming days.
Independent MP Moira Deeming and Legalise Cannabis MP David Ettershank have raised questions about the management and storage of toxic chemicals in Melbourne’s west. “The west is traditionally a dumping ground for noxious storage and industries, and I don’t believe there is enough regard for the safety of residents in this setting,” Ettershank stated.
