Fire crews to remain at the site of a huge factory fire in Melbourne's west
What's next?
Environmental groups have warned of potential health implications related to industrial fires in Melbourne's western suburbs.
Victoria's environmental watchdog has revealed it carried out multiple inspections and issued two notices to the operators of a factory in Melbourne's west that was the site of a major fire yesterday.
More than 180 firefighters responded to the fire in Derrimut, which Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) said was one of the state's biggest fires in recent years.
A large chemical explosion about 11am on Wednesday sparked the blaze, which was eventually brought under control by about 3:30pm.
Toxic smoke from the fire shrouded nearby suburbs, prompting emergency warnings to residents.(ABC News: Rachel Clayton)
Dozens of firefighters are still at the scene to fully extinguish the fire, which sent thick smoke billowing over nearby suburbs.
People have been warned to avoid coming into contact with waters downstream of the fire until further notice, particularly in areas with unusual odours or where water is discoloured.
Melbourne Water is managing a significant volume of contaminated run-off that has entered Kayes Drain, to the west of the factory, along with some run-off to Cherrys Main Drain to the east.
The ABC understands the fire is at the site of the ACB Group factory, where a worker died in a chemical explosion last year.
The company declined to comment when contacted by the ABC.
WorkSafe's investigation into that death is ongoing, but investigators have visited 24 times since, issuing seven compliance notices.
As for the latest incident, a spokesperson said the workplace health and safety regulator "remains on scene providing technical support and will determine further action at the appropriate time"
The intense blaze gutted the chemical factory at Derrimut.(ABC News)
FRV Deputy Commissioner Joshua Fischer said fire crews made good progress overnight but investigators had not yet determined the cause of the blaze.
"It’s obviously still an active fire area, there’s lots of contaminants, there’s contaminated water runoff that we need to manage so at this time the investigation is ongoing," he said
EPA officers are testing chemical levels at Laverton Creek and surrounding areas.(ABC News: Rachel Taylor)
"Because of the sheer volume of the water and the complexity of the drain network, some of that fire water has migrated downstream and we’re expecting to see that water move through waterways," she said.
"Some of these chemicals will be diluted as they move downstream but we know that there are impacts that include highly odorous water that has migrated from this site."
The EPA said drinking water did not appear to have been contaminated by runoff.
The major factory fire is continuing to burn in Melbourne's west.
Dr Martin said smoke from the fire rose rapidly but largely dissipated.
"In terms of air quality in the broader Melbourne region, it doesn’t have a major impact so we are relatively hopeful that there is minimal impact to the broader community," he said.
Emergency services are monitoring the air quality near the factory to determine when people can return to nearby businesses.
FRV said the factory contained a range of chemicals, including kerosene, methylated spirits and ethanol
ADC AUS
Posted 21h ago
Posted 21h ago
The chemical factory was gutted by the blaze.
Firefighters remain at the site of a large factory fire in Derrimut, in Melbourne's west, but the blaze is under control.
Fire Rescue Victoria said water containing unknown chemicals from the fire site had entered local waterways.
Firefighters remain at the site of a large factory fire in Derrimut, in Melbourne's west, but the blaze is under control.
Fire Rescue Victoria said water containing unknown chemicals from the fire site had entered local waterways.
What's next?
Environmental groups have warned of potential health implications related to industrial fires in Melbourne's western suburbs.
Victoria's environmental watchdog has revealed it carried out multiple inspections and issued two notices to the operators of a factory in Melbourne's west that was the site of a major fire yesterday.
More than 180 firefighters responded to the fire in Derrimut, which Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) said was one of the state's biggest fires in recent years.
A large chemical explosion about 11am on Wednesday sparked the blaze, which was eventually brought under control by about 3:30pm.
Toxic smoke from the fire shrouded nearby suburbs, prompting emergency warnings to residents.(ABC News: Rachel Clayton)
Dozens of firefighters are still at the scene to fully extinguish the fire, which sent thick smoke billowing over nearby suburbs.
People have been warned to avoid coming into contact with waters downstream of the fire until further notice, particularly in areas with unusual odours or where water is discoloured.
Melbourne Water is managing a significant volume of contaminated run-off that has entered Kayes Drain, to the west of the factory, along with some run-off to Cherrys Main Drain to the east.
The ABC understands the fire is at the site of the ACB Group factory, where a worker died in a chemical explosion last year.
The company declined to comment when contacted by the ABC.
WorkSafe's investigation into that death is ongoing, but investigators have visited 24 times since, issuing seven compliance notices.
As for the latest incident, a spokesperson said the workplace health and safety regulator "remains on scene providing technical support and will determine further action at the appropriate time"
. 
Fire Rescue Victoria said water from the fire site had entered local waterways.(ABC News)
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said it had inspected the site nine times since last year's chemical explosion and had issued several notices to the factory operators.
Steve Lansdell from the EPA said it appeared the factory had complied with those notices, but a thorough investigation would be carried out, and the community kept informed.
"We'll be working really closely with WorkSafe and other investigators given there were still investigations going into the previous incident," he told ABC Radio Melbourne.
"Make no mistake, no stone will be left unturned in terms of investigations for us and other regulators."
Fire Rescue Victoria said water from the fire site had entered local waterways.(ABC News)
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said it had inspected the site nine times since last year's chemical explosion and had issued several notices to the factory operators.
Steve Lansdell from the EPA said it appeared the factory had complied with those notices, but a thorough investigation would be carried out, and the community kept informed.
"We'll be working really closely with WorkSafe and other investigators given there were still investigations going into the previous incident," he told ABC Radio Melbourne.
"Make no mistake, no stone will be left unturned in terms of investigations for us and other regulators."
The intense blaze gutted the chemical factory at Derrimut.(ABC News)
FRV Deputy Commissioner Joshua Fischer said fire crews made good progress overnight but investigators had not yet determined the cause of the blaze.
"It’s obviously still an active fire area, there’s lots of contaminants, there’s contaminated water runoff that we need to manage so at this time the investigation is ongoing," he said
.
FRV Deputy Commissioner Joshua Fischer said more than 150 firefighters battled the Derrimut blaze.(ABC News)
He said the fire was "challenging and complex" for fire crews.
"Extreme flame heights, explosions occurring, debris falling onto the fire impact area. We’ve still got fire appliances that we can’t get back to because they’re in the unsafe area."
Chemicals from fire zone contaminating nearby waterways
In the wake of the blaze, residents near the factory were told to stay indoors to protect themselves from the smoke
FRV Deputy Commissioner Joshua Fischer said more than 150 firefighters battled the Derrimut blaze.(ABC News)
He said the fire was "challenging and complex" for fire crews.
"Extreme flame heights, explosions occurring, debris falling onto the fire impact area. We’ve still got fire appliances that we can’t get back to because they’re in the unsafe area."
Chemicals from fire zone contaminating nearby waterways
In the wake of the blaze, residents near the factory were told to stay indoors to protect themselves from the smoke
.
A sign at Laverton Creek warns of impacted water quality.(ABC News: Rachel Clayton)
People have been warned not to come into contact with water at Cherry Creek, Anderson's Swamp and Kayes Drain as runoff from the factory fire site has entered waterways.
The EPA said Melbourne Water had been working around-the-clock to pump wastewater and dispose of it offsite for treatment, along with blocking stormwater drains with sandbags and placing booms to limit firewater run-off entering nearby waterways.
FRV said around three million litres of water and 40,000 litres of foam were used to battle the blaze
A sign at Laverton Creek warns of impacted water quality.(ABC News: Rachel Clayton)
People have been warned not to come into contact with water at Cherry Creek, Anderson's Swamp and Kayes Drain as runoff from the factory fire site has entered waterways.
The EPA said Melbourne Water had been working around-the-clock to pump wastewater and dispose of it offsite for treatment, along with blocking stormwater drains with sandbags and placing booms to limit firewater run-off entering nearby waterways.
FRV said around three million litres of water and 40,000 litres of foam were used to battle the blaze
.
The factory in Derrimut where a major blaze broke out yesterday contained barrels of chemicals.(Supplied: EPA)
Chief Environmental Scientist with the Environmental Protection Agency, Jen Martin, said managing the water runoff from the fire site was proving to be challenging.
The factory in Derrimut where a major blaze broke out yesterday contained barrels of chemicals.(Supplied: EPA)
Chief Environmental Scientist with the Environmental Protection Agency, Jen Martin, said managing the water runoff from the fire site was proving to be challenging.
EPA officers are testing chemical levels at Laverton Creek and surrounding areas.(ABC News: Rachel Taylor)
"Because of the sheer volume of the water and the complexity of the drain network, some of that fire water has migrated downstream and we’re expecting to see that water move through waterways," she said.
"Some of these chemicals will be diluted as they move downstream but we know that there are impacts that include highly odorous water that has migrated from this site."
The EPA said drinking water did not appear to have been contaminated by runoff.
The major factory fire is continuing to burn in Melbourne's west.
Dr Martin said smoke from the fire rose rapidly but largely dissipated.
"In terms of air quality in the broader Melbourne region, it doesn’t have a major impact so we are relatively hopeful that there is minimal impact to the broader community," he said.
Emergency services are monitoring the air quality near the factory to determine when people can return to nearby businesses.
FRV said the factory contained a range of chemicals, including kerosene, methylated spirits and ethanol
.
Investigations are continuing into the cause of Wednesday's blaze, as well as a separate fire at the factory last year.(ABC News)
Former Greens MP and spokesperson for the Anti-Toxic Waste Alliance, Colleen Hartland, said the fire could have potential health implications for nearby residents.
"Local residents, local friends groups have worked so hard to improve these sites and yet again, because industry couldn't manage themselves, they're going to be profoundly affected," she said.
"It's going to take a while to actually know what the long-term effects are, but I think one of the problems with the health of people in the western suburbs is because we have repeated incidents."
Investigations are continuing into the cause of Wednesday's blaze, as well as a separate fire at the factory last year.(ABC News)
Former Greens MP and spokesperson for the Anti-Toxic Waste Alliance, Colleen Hartland, said the fire could have potential health implications for nearby residents.
"Local residents, local friends groups have worked so hard to improve these sites and yet again, because industry couldn't manage themselves, they're going to be profoundly affected," she said.
"It's going to take a while to actually know what the long-term effects are, but I think one of the problems with the health of people in the western suburbs is because we have repeated incidents."
No comments:
Post a Comment