Firefighters are tackling a large blaze at the Viva Energy Group refinery in Corio, near Geelong in Victoria, one of Australia’s two operating oil refineries. The fire began just after 11 p.m. local time on Wednesday (1300 GMT) and involved liquid fuels and gases in the refinery’s motor gasoline unit.
Fire Rescue Victoria said early Thursday the fire was not yet under control but remained contained to the plant. Authorities urged people in Geelong and surrounding communities to stay indoors, close windows and doors, and switch off heating and cooling systems as a precaution.
No injuries have been reported and all refinery staff have been accounted for. Local resident Ronnie Hayden told ABC about 100 staff were on site when the blaze started and that all escaped unhurt.
The Country Fire Authority said on Thursday morning that the threat alert had been downgraded, adding that firefighters were continuing to battle the blaze and there was no current threat to the public. Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj described the incident as unprecedented and warned the fire would burn for several hours.
Viva Energy chief executive Scott Wyatt said most units at the Corio refinery were operating at minimum safe rates and that production would only be increased once it could be done safely. The Corio refinery supplies more than half of Victoria’s fuel and roughly 10 percent of Australia’s, with capacity to process up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the fire would mainly affect petrol production, while jet fuel and diesel output were continuing at reduced levels as a precaution. The incident appears to be accidental and will be investigated.
Australia imports around 90 percent of its refined fuel needs, and the blaze has heightened existing concerns about fuel security following earlier disruptions in key shipping routes. Emergency services and refinery operators remain on scene working to contain and extinguish the fire.