By Lachlan Abbott and Eliza Sum
Toxic smoke will continue to blow across Melbourne’s west for days after a chemical explosion sparked a massive factory fire that launched drums into the air and forced residents out of their homes.
More than 180 firefighters battled the blaze in Swann Drive, Derrimut, which broke out just before 11.20am on Wednesday. Last year, a man was killed and two others were injured in a chemical fire at the same factory.
Michelle Cowling from Fire Rescue Victoria said there was a danger to residents and firefighters as the fire drew in 66 appliances to fight it.
“The warehouse itself is full with multiple types of chemicals, and those drums are being impinged by fire, so they are exploding and, therefore, they launch into the air and land outside of the fire perimeter,” she said. “So that’s why we’re encouraging people to stay away.”
Fire Rescue Victoria deemed the blaze under control at 3.32pm on Wednesday. Kerosene, fuel, methylated spirits and ethanol were among the chemicals in the factory, Cowling said.
“We estimate we’re going to be here a couple of days because of the fuel load in this factory,” she said.
She said it would take time to get close enough to the burning chemicals to put them out and make sure the site was safe.
“We can’t get in close enough to cool this fire down. It will have to be pulled apart and gone through and make sure everything is out. We’ve got lots of water run-off, so that has to be drained,” she said.
The fire reached a seventh-alarm level. Since Fire Rescue Victoria was created four years ago, it has not previously had to battle a fire higher than a fifth-alarm level.
WorkSafe was on the scene on Wednesday and is still investigating after the deadly fire at the chemical manufacturing plant last October. Fire Rescue Victoria said Victoria Police would also investigate the cause of Wednesday’s fire.
Firefighters have brought a massive blaze at a commercial premises in Derrimut under control. Credit: Joe Armao
A watch-and-act warning was issued shortly after 1pm on Wednesday in Derrimut and the neighbouring suburbs of Albion, Braybrook, Brooklyn, Laverton North, Sunshine, Sunshine West, Tottenham and Truganina.
The warning zone was reduced to the Derrimut industrial estate shortly before 4pm. For suburbs south of the blaze, such as Laverton, it was downgraded to an advice message around the same time. For others to the north, emergency alerts were removed altogether.
Residents near the fire were told to stay out of the smoke and keep windows and doors closed to avoid the toxic burned chemicals. They were also urged to close vents in their homes and ensure heating and cooling systems are turned off.
A wind change blew the toxic smoke toward Boundary Road and Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Anyone affected is urged to take shelter indoors immediately.
A view of the toxic smoke plume blowing east from Melbourne’s western suburbs.Credit: Nine News
Ambulance Victoria said paramedics arrived about 11.15am, but no-one required treatment.
The surrounding industrial estate was evacuated by police along Swann Drive to Bliss Court. The Environment Protection Authority of Victoria also attended the scene.
A plume of black smoke could be seen across Melbourne and a wall at the rear of the factory collapsed early on Wednesday afternoon. Tanks containing flammable substances exploded and a b-double truck was damaged.
About midday, fireballs continued to erupt from the inferno near the Western Ring Road while crews tried to douse the flames. Spot fires appeared to break out on the nature strip on the southern edge of the major freeway about 1pm while vehicles drove just metres away.
A specialised truck arrived about 2pm and doused the flames with white foam.
Footage from a news helicopter showed several vehicles parked on the side of the Western Freeway close to the fire. About 1pm, cars could still be seen joining westbound Deer Park bypass traffic via an entry ramp from the Western Ring Road.
The Western Freeway was closed in both directions shortly before 1.30pm. The inbound closure was from Ballarat Road to the M80 Ring Road, while the outbound closure is from the M80 Ring Road to Robinsons Road.
People have been urged to avoid the industrial estate south of the Western Freeway, while motorists in smoke-affected areas were told to keep their windows up and car ventilation on recirculate mode.
FRV Deputy Commissioner Cowling praised the efforts of emergency services late on Wednesday.
“It has been a huge fire and Fire Rescue Victoria firefighters have done an amazing job, relying on their training and professionalism to bring this fire under control in such as short amount of time.”
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