By Ashleigh McMillan and Marta Pascual Juanola
A man was killed and two others were injured after an explosion and industrial fire at a chemical manufacturing plant on Thursday morning.
Paramedics were called after reports of an explosion just after 9.45am at a warehouse on Swann Drive in Derrimut, about 18 kilometres west of the Melbourne CBD.
Firefighters rushed to the scene.Credit: Justin McManus
Earlier on Thursday, Ambulance Victoria said two patients were being monitored – one in a stable condition and another who was trapped.
Victoria Police later confirmed a 44-year-old Hoppers Crossing man was discovered dead in the building. Two people were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Acting Inspector Matthew Flood said it was a traumatic incident for the man’s workmates and loved ones.
“It’s obviously a very, very sad occasion,” he said.
“Other people could have been [seriously] injured as well, we were just lucky that didn’t occur.”
The circumstances surrounding the fire at yet to be determined, with police investigations ongoing. A report will be prepared for the coroner. WorkSafe will investigate the death.
Paramedics at the scene were monitoring 28 people evacuated from the building on Thursday morning.
The fire is thought to have been caused by a chemical reaction that created an explosion in the warehouse at the rear of the property, according to a Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) spokeswoman.
Emergency services at the scene of the chemical fire in Derrimut on Thursday.Credit: Marta Pascual Juanola
More than 80 firefighters fought the blaze, with hazardous materials experts called in. The fire was contained by a sprinkler system in the building and brought under control by 12pm.
Dominic Scarfe, FRV’s assistant chief fire officer, said firefighters searched for the missing worker while the inferno raged.
“The process of blending some chemicals had resulted in an explosion and subsequent fire,” he said at the scene on Thursday.
“A lot of crews were on scene initially to help extinguish the fire and were heavily involved in a search for a missing staff member.
“It was pretty serious, and there were some other containers of chemicals on site, so if the fire had spread to those, we would have had a significant event.”
Scarfe said a number of factories downwind of the fire were closed due to danger from the chemical fire smoke, but they were reopened when the blaze was extinguished.
Initial structural reports suggested the warehouse was safe, he said, but further assessments were ongoing.
After reports of thick smoke in the area, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) confirmed on social media they were investigating reports of pollution following the chemical fire in Derrimut.
Firefighters and EPA officers have turned their attention to run-off from extinguishing the industrial fire to ensure chemicals do not enter stormwater drains and nearby waterways.
VicEmergency issued a warning for the area but said there was no immediate threat to the community, urging residents of Derrimut, Laverton North, Sunshine West and Truganina to stay informed.
“Smoke will be visible from nearby roads and communities. Some roads in the area are closed. You will see or smell smoke in the area,” the emergency service said.
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