Residents Advised to Stay Away from Waterways near Location of Hazardous Factory Fire in Melbourne
Tragedy struck when a worker lost their life and two others were injured in a fire at a building that housed a chemical blending company and a fuel producer last year.
The cause of a massive factory blaze emitting toxic smoke in Melbourne’s west is still under investigation as nearby businesses begin to return to the area.
The fire was ignited by a large explosion at the Derrimut factory on July 10, causing chemical drums to soar into the air at the peak of the inferno.
No injuries were reported, and the blaze was eventually brought under control after about four hours, with 180 firefighters working to extinguish the flames.
Significant progress was made overnight using over three million liters of water and 40,000 liters of foam to suppress the fire, according to Fire Rescue Victoria Deputy Commissioner Joshua Fischer.
However, it is anticipated that the fire will continue to burn for several days.
“The situation is dynamic, and we are conducting atmospheric monitoring to allow businesses in the area to return to their premises on a case-by-case basis,” stated Mr. Fischer.
“Determining the exact cause will take some time, and we also need access to the scene, which is an active fire area with various contaminants and structural integrity issues,” Mr. Fischer added.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) cautioned against using water in Cherry Creek, Anderson’s Swamp, and Kayes Drain due to pollutants from the firewater entering the downstream waterways.
Continued testing of waterways and precautions are being taken by the EPA to ensure public safety.
Although no ash impacts have been observed from the fire, the EPA advises cleaning surfaces, fruits, and vegetables before consumption.
Road closures are still in effect, and locals are urged to monitor conditions outside their homes.
In a similar incident in October 2023, a worker passed away and two others were injured in a fire at the same building housing the ACB Group chemical blending company and Powerplus fuel producer. The cause of that fire was also an explosion.
The EPA has issued two notices to the site and conducted nine inspections since the first explosion, finding them compliant.
Investigations by the EPA and Worksafe into the 2023 fire are ongoing.
The factory hosts multiple businesses, including chemical blenders and fuel distributors, with drums containing various substances stored on-site.
Professor Gabriel Da Silva of the University of Melbourne stated that all smoke from the fire was toxic, with chemicals likely being consumed by the blaze.
Western Metropolitan MPs Moira Deeming and David Ettershank raised concerns about the management, safety, and storage of toxic chemicals in Melbourne’s west.
The Anti-Toxic Waste Alliance was established following a previous factory fire in West Footscray in 2018 and several other incidents at recycling plants in the region.
