Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) confirmed in a statement that 20 firefighters and five crews are still working at the scene after a major chemical explosion sparked a large fire in Derrimut on Wednesday.
"The incident remains under control, but there are still hotspots in inaccessible areas due to structural integrity and site contamination concerns. Over the next 24 hours, FRV teams will continue to suppress hotspots and remove heat from the locations." that are still burning," the authority said.
FRV investigators are working with WorkSafe and Victoria Police to investigate the incident, although there is currently no indication the fire was suspicious, according to the fire authority, Xinhua news agency reported.
FRV Deputy Commissioner Josh Fischer said authorities would remain on the scene for days, if not weeks.
"This is a complex and dangerous environment, there are many hazards associated with this incident, so we are taking extreme caution and care in managing those risks to our firefighters from the time of the incident and going forward," Fischer said. .
The incident occurred around 11:20 a.m. m. local time on Wednesday. Emergency services rushed to a factory on Swann Drive in Derrimut, which contained a variety of chemicals including kerosene, fuel, methylated spirits and ethanol.
After a large explosion, flames erupted at the site and toxic smoke rose eastwards across Derrimut.
As of Friday, Victoria's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) updated that preventing further environmental damage to waterways remains an important goal as more contaminated firefighting water is pumped out of the area and into disposal.
"EPA advice to avoid contact with the waters there remains in effect. At this stage," the environmental regulator said, also assuring the public that the smoke no longer poses a risk.
Local media revealed that the industrial facility was operated by chemical mixtures manufacturer ACB Group, where a worker died in a chemical explosion last year.
"The incident remains under control, but there are still hotspots in inaccessible areas due to structural integrity and site contamination concerns. Over the next 24 hours, FRV teams will continue to suppress hotspots and remove heat from the locations." that are still burning," the authority said.
FRV investigators are working with WorkSafe and Victoria Police to investigate the incident, although there is currently no indication the fire was suspicious, according to the fire authority, Xinhua news agency reported.
FRV Deputy Commissioner Josh Fischer said authorities would remain on the scene for days, if not weeks.
"This is a complex and dangerous environment, there are many hazards associated with this incident, so we are taking extreme caution and care in managing those risks to our firefighters from the time of the incident and going forward," Fischer said. .
The incident occurred around 11:20 a.m. m. local time on Wednesday. Emergency services rushed to a factory on Swann Drive in Derrimut, which contained a variety of chemicals including kerosene, fuel, methylated spirits and ethanol.
After a large explosion, flames erupted at the site and toxic smoke rose eastwards across Derrimut.
As of Friday, Victoria's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) updated that preventing further environmental damage to waterways remains an important goal as more contaminated firefighting water is pumped out of the area and into disposal.
"EPA advice to avoid contact with the waters there remains in effect. At this stage," the environmental regulator said, also assuring the public that the smoke no longer poses a risk.
Local media revealed that the industrial facility was operated by chemical mixtures manufacturer ACB Group, where a worker died in a chemical explosion last year.
