A long queue of trucks is waiting to get into factories, including an ALDI site, as businesses remain closed due to a blaze at a chemical factory in Melbourne.
The fire was sparked by a large explosion at the Derrimut factory in the city’s west on Wednesday morning, and took firefighters about four hours to control.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Exclusive footage captures drum flying from chemical fire.
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On Thursday morning, businesses in the area, including multiple factories, remained closed with a long queue of about 50 trucks waiting outside the site to deliver their goods.
“I’m waiting to get into ALDI because they won’t let us in,” one driver who had been there at least an hour told 7NEWS.
Another driver told 7NEWS he had a truck full of cereal, while another had chocolate to also deliver to ALDI.
Telstra also warning of disruption to some mobile services in the Derrimut area as one of its sites was damaged.
“There is overlapping coverage from our other sites in the area, but customers may notice slower data speeds and patchy coverage in places,” a spokesperson said.
“We’re working closely with Emergency Services and will get in to assess the damage as soon as it is safe to do so.”
On Wednesday, a 7NEWS reporter captured the moment a drum was launched into the air out of a plume of black smoke during the height of the fire, which is expected to burn for days.
While there have not been many long-lasting effects from the smoke from the site, a strict warning about water in the area has now been issued.
“There’s a wide variety of different chemicals that are present on the site,” EPA acting chief environmental scientist, Dr Jen Martin said.
“We don’t have a full understanding yet of exactly what has gone into the fire water.
“There was a large volume of water that was used to suppress the fire, so some of the chemicals will be diluted as they move further downstream, but we do know that there are impacts that include highly odorous water that has migrated from the site.”
Residents have been urged to avoid contact with Cherry Creek, Anderson’s Swamp and Kayes Drain, including allowing pets to go near it.
Martin said some of the fire water had migrated downstream, and was expected to move into waterways.
“There is no risk to drinking water at this point in time. None of these waterways are drinking water supplies,” she said.
“However, we have advised that members of the public do not access or come into contact with waterways in the area until we understand what the impacts are.”
Fire Rescue Victoria Deputy Commissioner Michelle Cowling said it was the most significant blaze in Melbourne in recent years and required an aggressive attack.
The nearby Western Freeway was shut for several hours, and thousands of residents were urged to stay indoors because of health risks.
“Smoke is toxic and will cause damage,” Deputy Commissioner Cowling told reporters at the scene.
One worker died and two were injured in a fire at the same building in October 2023, which was also sparked by an explosion.
Cowling said the was no connection between that incident and the fire on Wednesday but the cause was still under investigation.
The factory houses multiple businesses including chemical blenders and fuel distribution, with drums containing kerosene, fuel, methylated spirits, methanol and other substances stored at the site.
– With AAP