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Explosions, toxic smoke as massive fire breaks out at Geelong refinery

Hyunsu Yim, Preetika Parashuraman and Alexander Darling

 

An out-of-control fire continues to burn at a Geelong refinery that supplies 50 per cent of Victoria’s and 10 per cent of Australia’s fuel.

The blaze at the Viva Energy Refinery in Corio broke out just after 11pm Wednesday.

refinery, which can process up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day, according to Viva’s website.

Three hours later, a wind change blew toxic smoke from the blaze towards the greater Geelong area, prompting a warning for people to close their doors and windows, and turn off their heating and cooling systems. As of 5.30am, the warning area dropped back to just three suburbs directly surrounding the fire, and there is no threat to the public.

About 50 firefighting vehicles are fighting the blaze at height, Fire Rescue Victoria assistant chief fire officer Mick McGuiness said.

“Fire has broken out in a section of the refinery called the Mogas plant, there have been several small explosions, a 30 metre by 30 metre fire with flame heights extending 50 to 60 metres,” he told 3AW.

Concerns are now turning to what this fire will mean for Australia’s fuel supplies during the ongoing global energy crisis – the refinery, owned by Viva Energy, is one of only two refineries still operating in Australia.

On Monday this week, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia’s fuel reserves stood at 38 days of petrol, 28 days of jet fuel and 31 days of diesel. It comes as the war in the Middle East rages on, with US President Donald Trump this week blockading the Strait of Hormuz in an attempt to coerce them into letting oil ships through.

The refinery, which dates back to 1954, employs more than 1100 people. There are no reports of injuries, while 17 firefighting vehicles remain at the scene tackling the flames.