Dozens of criminal charges laid over 2018 West Footscray industrial fire
After an investigation spanning nearly two years, dozens of charges have been laid against a company and its director linked to one of Melbourne’s worst industrial fires.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A company and its director linked to one of Melbourne’s worst industrial fires has been charged with more than 30 criminal offences following a nearly two-year investigation.
The Environment Protection Authority Victoria last night filed 17 charges against Delacor Pty Ltd and another 17 charges against the company’s director, Graham Leslie White.
EPA Chief Executive Officer Dr Cathy Wilkinson said a thorough investigation was required into the complex circumstances surrounding the fire.
“The charges that EPA has filed include the strongest charges EPA has at its disposal,” Dr Wilkinson said.
“We take this matter extremely seriously and will always look to hold those who pollute to account.”
The company has been charged with multiple counts of aggravated pollution, permitting the pollution of a local waterway and causing an environmental hazard.
The West Footscray factory allegedly had enough toxic waste to fill six Olympic swimming pools when it erupted in flames in August 2018.
Toxic sludge leaking from “compromised” containers was so bad it caused “discernible degradation” to emergency worker’s chemical-resistant safety boots.
It took more than 750 firefighters worked for 17 hours to bring the blaze under control.
MORE NEWS
EPA SLAMMED FOR MISSING CLUES ON ILLEGAL DUMPING
WEST FOOTSCRAY FACTORY FIRE CLEAN-UP STILL MONTHS AWAY
’SAFEGUARDING VICTORIANS’: TOXIC CHEMICAL FIRES SPARK REVIEW