Almost 200 firefighters have successfully managed to bring a massive factory fire in Melbourne’s west under control four hours after a “large chemical explosion”.
Crews first arrived at the Swann Drive, Derrimut, blaze at 11.20am on Wednesday to attack the fire from the ground and the air, as thick plumes of smoke billowed into Melbourne’s skyline.
The fire was quickly upgraded from a fifth to a seventh alarm, the first time in four years Fire Rescue Victoria have made such a declaration, which Deputy Commissioner Michelle Cowling said demonstrated the “dangerous” nature of the blaze.
At one point, a large fireball with bright orange flames erupted from the factory which is located in a large industrial area bordered by the Western Freeway.
The owner of the business is currently working with WorkSafe and Victoria Police.
“WorkSafe is on scene providing technical support to first responders as required and will determine what further action is required,” a spokesperson said.
A number of 44-gallon drums at the factory – which contained various hazardous chemicals – were sent flying through the air due to the impact of the explosion.
“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,” Ms Cowling told reporters just after 2pm.
“Those explosions that you’re hearing are those drums, they are stacked inside the building. So those drums, as they get impinged, they heat up inside, so the chemicals that are kept in liquid form are expanding until the pressure gets inside those drums and then they explode.
“That’s why we’re encouraging people to stay away.”
A watch and act message was issued for Albion, Braybrook, Brooklyn, Derrimut, Laverton North, Sunshine, Sunshine West, Tottenham and Truganina.
Residents in the areas affected by the thick smoke coming from the blaze were told to take shelter indoors.
Ms Cowling said there were 180 firefighters at the factory, along with 66 appliances, with crews expected to be at the scene for several days due to the fuel load onsite.
“It is a large factory, it’s probably 100 by 100 metres. Deep into that factory we’ve got embers burning, fire burning,” she said.
“And until we can get close enough – even with our aerial appliances that are on site (and) specialist HAZMAT people on site – we can’t get in close enough to cool this fire down. It will have to be pulled apart, it will have to be gone through and make sure everything is out completely.
“We’ve also got lots of water run-off so that has to be drained. We have to do a whole overall of this site to make sure that it’s safe for people that work around this area.”
The factory- which has been destroyed and will require a total rebuild – is the same site where a fatal blaze occurred last October.
FRV confirmed the premise acts as a warehouse for fuel storage, as well as a factory where different chemicals are manufactured for a range of applications.
Chemicals on site include fuel, kerosene, methylated spirits, ethanol, paint thinners and industrial solvents.
No injuries have been reported, with police revealing in a statement that “it is believed everyone inside the premises evacuated safely”.
Workers at nearby factories were also evacuated and Swann Drive shut down.
No neighbouring properties were impacted.
Road closures were also put in place for the Western Freeway, while motorists in the area were told to keep their windows closed and their ventilation on recirculate.
One motorist driving near the fire took to social media to report: “We felt the fire heat inside the car”.
Travellers flying into Melbourne also took to social media to post images of the massive blaze as seen from their aircraft.
The fire was deemed under control about 3.30pm.
WorkSafe Victoria last October launched an investigation into the death of a 44-year-old Hoppers Crossing man following an explosion at the factory.
“It is understood the 44-year-old man was working with a Class 3 Dangerous Good when the incident occurred,” WorkSafe said at the time.
That investigation remains ongoing.