Massive Explosion, Fire Engulfs Chemical Factory

Thousands of people have been told to stay indoors as toxic smoke rises across the large city.

Kristen Kazarian, Managing Editor

July 11, 2024

2 Min Read
Melbourne chemical plant fire is second at same facility in less than a year.
Another fire at this factory occurred last October, resulting in the death of a 44-year-old man.Vera Tikhonova/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

A large chemical explosion triggered a blaze at the Derrimut factory in Melbourne, Australia, which then engulfed the building located at an industrial park, yesterday morning.

Emergency services were called to the fire at about 11:20 a.m. on Wednesday, reported 1News Australia.

Metal drums filled with chemicals were thrown into the air from the blaze, posing a danger to the 180 firefighters on scene.

There were no reports of injuries and it was believed everyone inside the factory evacuated safely, Victoria Police said.

Fire Rescue Victoria said hazardous material and unknown toxins were burning.

"We don't know what's in that smoke, smoke is toxic and will cause damage," firefighter Michelle Cowling told reporters at the scene.

The blaze — Melbourne's most significant in several years — was not yet under control and would likely burn for days, she said.

"We've got embers burning, fire burning, 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," Cowling said.

A watch-and-act alert was issued for the fire affecting thousands of residents and workers in 

The fire was still burning at 5:30 p.m. local time today.

This was the second fire at the same factory in less than a year after it went up in flames in October, resulting in the death of a 44-year-old man.

Victoria’s Environment Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday evening said Melbourne Water was managing a “significant volume of contaminated firewater run off” which had entered Kayes Drain to the west of the site of the fire and Cherrys Main Drain, to the east. Warnings were sent to avoid nearby waterways as EPA said this same factory was issued notices after the previous fire.

WorkSafe is responding and will investigate the company. Fire Rescue Victoria said about three million liters of water and 40,000 liters of foam was used to suppress the fire.

About the Author

Kristen Kazarian

Managing Editor

Kristen Kazarian has been a writer and editor for more than three decades. She has worked at several consumer magazines and B2B publications in the fields of food and beverage, packaging, processing, women's interest, local news, health and nutrition, fashion and beauty, automotive, and IT.

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