A 7NEWS reporter has captured the moment a drum was launched into the air during a massive factory fire in Melbourne’s west.
Fire crews spent about four hours battling a blaze at the ACB Group factory on Swann Dr, Derrimut.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Exclusive footage captures drum flying from chemical fire.
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While filming the blaze, 7NEWS Melbourne reporter Paul Dowsley captured what appears to be a drum flying through the air in front of a plume of smoke.
A Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) spokesperson confirmed one drum had landed on the Western Fwy, which has been closed to all traffic.
Dowsley also captured an explosion inside the factory, resulting in a ball of fire bursting into the air.
A Watch and Act has been downgraded to an Advice but businesses on Swann Dr and Bliss Ct will remain closed overnight.
FRV does not want people exposed to the wastewater and toxic smoke “and they cannot return until it is safe to do so”, FRV said Wednesday evening.
WorkSafe Victoria said it was on the scene providing technical support to first responders as required.
One woman said the explosion “felt like a bomb went off”.
“It was absolutely horrible,” she told 7NEWS.
Another man said: “I just saw the smoke and saw everybody running and grabbed the staff and ran out.”
A total of 180 firefighters and 70 trucks battled the blaze, which has since been deemed under control.
Hazardous materials and “unknown toxins” had been burning within the building, FRV said.
One of these chemicals is believed to be ethanol.
No one is reported to be injured in the fire, and it is believed everyone inside the factory has evacuated safely.
All lanes of the Western Fwy were closed between the M80 Ring Rd and Ballarat Rd.
The citybound lanes have since reopened to traffic, however the outbound lanes remain closed.
Drivers should use M80 Ring Rd and Ballarat Rd to avoid the closure, or Fitzgerald Rd and Robinsons Rd.
“This emergency is under the control of Fire Rescue Victoria,” the Department of Transport said.
“Lanes on the Western Freeway will open when it is safe to do so.”
ACB Group is a specialist manufacturer and private labeller of chemicals and solvents, according to its LinkedIn.
It is the same factory where a man was killed in another chemical explosion in 2023.