Toxic smoke, chemical explosions as massive fire rips through factory
Toxic smoke is blowing across a suburb in Melbourne’s west and residents have been told not to return home after a large chemical explosion sparked a massive factory fire on Wednesday.
Firefighters are battling the blaze on Swann Drive in Derrimut after the fire broke out shortly before 11.20am.
“The fire has involved a large chemical explosion, resulting in a large fire,” Fire Rescue Victoria said in a statement. “Specialist appliances are on scene, including aerial appliances.”
A watch-and-act warning was issued shortly after 1pm in Derrimut and its neighbouring suburbs of Albion, Braybrook, Brooklyn, Laverton North, Sunshine, Sunshine West, Tottenham and Truganina.
Residents in those suburbs have been told to close all exterior doors and windows. They were also urged to close vents in their homes and ensure heating and cooling systems are turned off. Residents not currently at home have been told not to return.
The toxic smoke is also being blown across to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, with anyone affected urged to take shelter indoors immediately.
Ambulance Victoria said paramedics arrived about 11.15am. No patients have been treated so far.
The surrounding industrial estate is also being evacuated by police along Swann Drive to Bliss Court. The Environment Protection Authority Victoria will also attend 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, with a barrel sent flying into the air before crashing back to the ground.
At about 12.45pm, Victoria Police said in a statement: “At this time, there have been no reports of injuries, and it is believed everyone inside the premises evacuated safely.”
A massive plume of black smoke from the Derrimut fire could be seen across Melbourne at midday.Credit: Nine News
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.
Last October, a man was killed and two others were injured after an explosion and industrial fire at a chemical manufacturing plant on the same street as Wednesday’s inferno.
A number of factories line Swann Drive, and it is not yet known whether Wednesday’s fire occurred at the same building as last year’s deadly blaze.
An advice message has been issued for the suburbs of Albion, Braybrook, Brooklyn, Derrimut, Laverton North, Sunshine, Sunshine West, Tottenham and Truganina.
Victoria Police said Swann Drive had been closed while westbound traffic on the Deer Park bypass had been stopped for safety.
However, footage from a news helicopter showed several vehicles parked on the side of the Western Freeway close to the fire. At about 1pm, cars could still be seen joining westbound Deer Park bypass traffic via an entry ramp from the Western Ring Road.
People have been urged to avoid the industrial estate south of the Western Freeway, while motorists were told to keep their windows up and car ventilation on recirculate mode.
More to come
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