Chemical factory erupts in flames in Deer Park

A factory has been engulfed in flames just more than a week after a massive chemical fire in a neighbouring suburb, with waterways still being monitored more than a week on.

More than 80 firefighters tackled a factory fire in Deer Park just more than a week after a chemical fire in neighbouring suburb Derrimut. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

More than 80 firefighters were called to respond to a factory fire just more than a week after a massive chemical fire at a neighbouring suburb.

Crews responded to a factory in Deer Park in Melbourne’s western suburbs on Saturday morning.

The 100 x 50m factory was “almost fully involved in fire” when crews arrived on scene about 7.30am on Saturday morning.

An automatic fire alarm alerted fire services of the incident, and five people were safely evacuated before crews arrived on scene.

The building produces plastic shipping pallets, and was the only building on the site that caught fire.

More than 80 firefighters tackled a factory fire in Deer Park on Saturday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

A Fire Rescue Victoria statement said crews commenced an “aggressive internal attack”, with the blaze brought under control just before 9am.

“Crews immediately escalated the response, sending additional appliances and personnel, including aerial appliances.

Firefighters attacked the building from the outside initially, before commencing an aggressive internal attack,” the statement read.

“An advice message has been issued for nearby communities, although smoke is now dissipating.”

Fire Rescue Victoria confirmed there is no longer any risk to the community.

It comes after 180 firefighters and 66 appliances were called to a factory fire in Derrimut in Melbourne’s west on Wednesday July 10 after a “large chemical explosion”.

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

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

Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria held a community meeting on Friday where they confirmed waterways will continue to be monitored following the Derrimut factory fire.

“People asked us about how the firewater used on the blaze was able to flow into Cherry and Laverton Creeks in particular, what was in it and what effect it is having on the environment,” EPA agency commander Steve Lansdell said.

“We were able to tell them a great deal that helped them understand the situation and that it was a better than expected result despite the large volume of water that was used.”

The factory fire comes just more than a week after fire crews battled a huge factory fire in Derrimut. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

It is understood the Derrimut factory is both a storage facility for fuel and responsible for mixing a number of various chemicals on site. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Kerosene, fuel, methylated spirits, paint thinners and ethanol were believed to be part of the toxic cocktail which exploded in Derrimut. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

There are no reported impacts to fish or birdlife in the Cherry and Laverton Creeks, and monitoring of Cherry Lake has continued to show the water quality has not been affected.

However the EPA have advised people not to let pets come into contact with the water adjacent to the Doug Grant Reserve after heavy rains impacted Laverton Creek. The EPA said it was taking an “extra precautionary approach” to waters at the creek mouth where it enters the bay as well as the stretch east along to Altona Beach.

“We’ve had some very heavy rain which has an impact regardless of the fire. As always, we advise people and pets to avoid swimming near stormwater or river outlets 24 to 48 hours after heavy rain. Always check for signs of pollution before swimming. For example, stormwater drains flowing, murky water, bad smell, and rubbish,” Mr Lansdell said.

“We’ll keep working very closely with Melbourne Water to make sure our monitoring equipment is in place for as long as needed.”

The EPA is also continuing to monitor several locations including Mt Derrimut Golf Course, near Fitzgerald and Pipe Roads, Cherry Lake inlet and outlet, and Laverton Creek including Leakes Rd, Victoria, Queen and Merton Streets as well as the footbridge near the outlet to the bay.

Originally published as Chemical factory erupts in flames in Deer Park