Telstra mobile disruption: Derrimut fire causes issues

Telstra customers have been struggling with slower data speeds and patchy coverage.

Telstra customers have been struggling with slower data speeds and patchy coverage after a factory explosion in Melbourne damaged a mobile site.

Emergency services were called to Swann Drive in Derrimut about 11.20am on Wednesday after an explosion.

Crews have been battling the large blaze overnight, and while it remains under control it continued to burn on Thursday.

Telstra is working to fix the issue. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Locals have been warned to avoid the area for several days due to toxic smoke.

The massive blaze has also caused disruptions with Telstra customers.

A Telstra spokesperson factory fire had damaged one of our mobile sites.

“There is overlapping coverage from our other sites in the area, but customers may notice slower data speeds and patchy coverage in places.

“We’re working closely with Emergency Services and will get in to assess the damage as soon as it is safe to do so.

“In the meantime, residents can improve their mobile coverage by using their nbn connection to access Wi-Fi calling. This is a free setting on most popular mobile phones and allows your mobile to use a Wi-Fi network to make and receive mobile calls.

“We also encourage business owners talk to their bank about connecting their EFTPOS terminals to their nbn or Wi-Fi connection to prevent delays in processing transactions.”

Factory explosion

There were 180 firefighters and 66 appliances called to the factory in Derrimut in Melbourne’s west after a “large chemical explosion” about 11.20am on Wednesday.

It is understood the factory is both a storage facility for fuel and responsible for mixing a number of various chemicals on site.

Kerosene, fuel, mentholated spirits, paint thinners and ethanol were believed to be part of the toxic cocktail which exploded.

Flames and thick smoke from a factory fire in Derrimut. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Flames and thick smoke from a factory fire in Derrimut. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Fire crews spent the day battling the blaze, by Thursday morning they had managed to get it under control.

Residents have been warned to avoid the area as remnants of the toxic blaze will linger for days.

“If you don’t have to come in here, I’d suggest stay away,” Fire Rescue Victoria North West deputy commissioner Michelle Cowling said.

Residents are also being told to avoid contact with the water as firewater has entered Cherry Creek, Anderson’s Swamp and Kayes Drain.

“We estimate we’re going to be here a couple of days because of the fuel load in this factory,” she said.

“We can’t get in close enough to cool this fire down. It will have to be pulled apart.”

AMA president and GP doctor, Tony Bartone, told the Today show people with respiratory conditions were most at risk.

He warned that smoke and toxins may cause headaches, nauseousness or dizziness to people in the immediate area.

Ms Crowling said there were 44 gallon drums containing multiple types of fuel within the factory, which exploded, launching into the air and landing outside the fire perimeter.She said the fire was the first to have reached a seventh alarm level since the agency was first created four years ago.

She confirmed the blaze has now been brought under control and an investigation into the fire will be conducted by Victoria Police Fire Investigation, Fire Rescue Victoria and WorkSafe.

Crews were able to contain the fire to the one facility and neighbouring factories have not been impacted by the blaze.

A “significant amount of work” will be conducted by crews to ensure run-off from the factory does not enter waterways, Ms Crowley said.

Victoria Police, FRV, the EPA and Worksafe Victoria will all be part of the investigation in the coming days.

The blaze comes less than a year after a man was killed in a factory fire at the same location.

Originally published as Telstra mobile disruption: Derrimut fire causes issues