By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
A massive chemical fire at Derrimut in Melbourne’s west on Wednesday saw drums of chemicals launched into the air, reminiscent of a scene from Die Hard. This incident marked the first time since 2020 that Fire Rescue Victoria had to contend with a seventh alarm level blaze.
The fire produced toxic black smoke that engulfed Melbourne’s west, evoking memories of a fatal blaze at the same factory less than nine months prior, which claimed the life of 44 year old Reece Martin and injured two others. As of Friday afternoon, more than 48 hours since the fire started, 20 firefighters remained on site, battling the smouldering remains.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has warned that nearby waterways could take months to recover from contamination caused by both the firefighting efforts and the chemicals involved in the fire. The explosion occurred at a factory housing multiple businesses, including chemical blenders and fuel distributors, with substances like kerosene, methylated spirits, and methanol stored at the site.
Although there were no injuries reported from Wednesday’s fire, EPA’s west metropolitan manager, Steve Lansdell, advised residents and their pets to avoid affected waterways, including Laverton Creek and Cherry Creek. Firefighters who battled the blaze were observed and tested at hospitals but have since been discharged. The EPA, alongside Melbourne Water, is conducting ongoing monitoring and cleanup efforts, which include testing waterways, installing sandbags, and deploying trucks to remove contaminated stormwater.
Dr. Sally El Meragawi, a chemical engineer from Monash University, highlighted the potential long term environmental and health impacts due to firefighting foams containing polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These “forever chemicals” could enter water sources and persist, posing significant health risks.
Fire Rescue Victoria’s deputy commissioner for community safety, Josh Fischer, indicated that there is no current suspicion of foul play in the fire's cause. Investigations will proceed once the site is deemed safe. Following a similar fire last October, regulatory notices focused on stormwater management and waste containment were issued and complied with by the factory. However, further investigations will examine the types of contaminants present at the site. WorkSafe’s investigation into last year’s fire at the same location is ongoing, with seven compliance notices issued to the factory since the October incident.
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