A significant fire has erupted at a prominent oil refinery in Victoria, Australia. The incident occurred at Viva Energy’s Geelong Refinery, one of the country’s two remaining oil refineries, around 11 pm local time on Wednesday. Despite ongoing efforts, the blaze was still not contained after 10 hours. Fortunately, all refinery personnel have been safely evacuated, confirmed Fire Rescue Victoria.
Situated in Geelong’s Corio suburb, the refinery is owned and operated by Viva Energy, a key player in the energy sector responsible for supplying a quarter of Australia’s fuel. With more than 1,100 employees, the facility plays a crucial role, providing over half of Victoria’s fuel and approximately 10% of the nation’s fuel needs.
Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj described the fire as “unprecedented” and anticipated that it would persist for some time. In a statement to ABC Radio Melbourne, he expressed shock over the magnitude of the incident and the challenge it posed to containment efforts due to its intensity.
The fire at the Geelong Refinery is attracting attention amid global energy concerns stemming from the conflict in Iran, which has disrupted oil shipments worldwide. Fire Rescue Victoria disclosed that the situation remains uncontrolled, with firefighters monitoring the situation closely.
Authorities have urged residents in the vicinity to remain indoors and keep windows shut due to heavy smoke emanating from the refinery. The refinery, classified as a “major hazard facility” by Viva Energy, emphasizes safety in its operations, handling a substantial volume of flammable fuel daily.
VicEmergency, the official emergency information service of the Victorian Government, reported a factory fire on Refinery Road in Corio. A Watch and Act warning has been issued for several suburbs, including Corio, Norlane, North Geelong, and Newtown, as smoke drifts towards northern Geelong due to a shift in wind direction.
Images depict flames and dense smoke emerging from the Geelong Refinery, underscoring the severity of the situation. The refinery, initially established by Shell Australia in 1954 and later acquired by Vitol in 2014 as part of a strategic divestment by Royal Dutch Shell, continues to play a vital role in Australia’s fuel supply chain.
