Emergency services rush to huge fire in Anakie

Witnesses have reacted with shock and awe to an industrial blaze near a chicken farm that caused loud explosions and continues to burn. Watch the video.

Witnesses have reacted with shock and awe to an industrial blaze in Anakie, allowed to burn overnight due to hazmat concerns.

Residents near the large inferno, about 25 minutes from Geelong, were told to take shelter as the raging fire burned out of control on Tuesday evening.

Emergency services rushed to a large shed on the Geelong-Ballan Rd, near Pringles Rd, at about 6.20pm.

By 9pm, more than 37 fire trucks and 100 firefighters remained at the scene alongside police and paramedics.

Two 100m by 15m sheds were engulfed by fire, with reports that the flames exceeded at least 4.5m in height.

The incident was deemed under control at 10.10pm.

Firefighters remain at the scene of the Anakie fire.

Stunned onlookers reported seeing large explosions believed to have been caused by flammable liquids and gas cylinders inside.

On Wednesday morning, a Country Fire Authority deputy group officer Dean Harding said

up to 70,000kg of hand sanitiser were being kept on the property.

“They were being kept in containers on pallets and that’s all slumped into itself, and that’s the active fire we have at the moment”.

“It’s private storage of the sanitiser. These sheds are leased but the owner of the property has been on scene”.

Mr Harding said the cause of the fire is currently unclear, adding that crews were waiting for arson squad detectives to give the go ahead for the remaining tin to be removed and gain access to the fire.

It’s understood that the expected environmental impact is limited, with crews using minimal water in order prevent run off from contaminating the surrounding environment.

Gas cyliners were also inside the shed.

A CFA spokesman said the fire was patrolled and allowed to burn out safely overnight,” he said.

“Units remain on scene monitoring hot spots and blacking out,” he said.

A huge explosion can be seen during a fire at a large industrial shed in Anakie, about 25 minutes from Geelong. Photo: Supplied.

Victoria Police were on scene for traffic control.

Relevant power company and EPA were also on scene.

An investigation into what sparked the inferno is underway alongside Victoria Police.

Anakie resident Chloe Posterino, 19, was on her way home when she saw the flames.

“I was like ‘Oh my God’,” she said.

“My cousin’s a firefighter so he gave me a heads up, it’s absolutely crazy.”

Another witness said the blaze appeared to be burning “at the old chicken farm.”

Ms Posterino said she heard “gas bottles” and “ammunition exploding”.

“They’ve put out a warning saying the smoke’s toxic and to close vents,” she continued.

“Lucky the smoke’s blowing the other way otherwise I wouldn’t be here”.

The two structures had collapsed as of 7.30pm, as winds continued to push the smoke south of the property.

The structure caught fire on Tuesday evening at Anakie. Photo: Ryan Bourke.

It’s understood the fire started near a broiler farm, however no animals have been harmed.

There has been no reported injuries.

CFA has a current warning for anyone between Carrs Rd and Creek Rd, advising them to ventilate home or business from smoke.

On Tuesday evening, a statement said dangerous smoke was blowing over Church Lane and Staceys Rd with a “Watch and Act” alert in place.

Bystanders stopped to capture incredible footage with large explosions coming from the fire.

It comes just hours after another shed burst into flames on a rural property in Portarlington.

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Originally published as Emergency services rush to huge fire in Anakie