CORIO, VIC. — Unleaded automotive petrol production has been affected as firefighters battle a significant, out-of-control fire at Viva’s Corio oil refinery.
Crews were dispatched to the site in Corio, about 60km southwest of Melbourne, shortly after 11pm on Wednesday, following reports of explosions and flames.
“Fire Rescue Victoria responded to an incident at the MOGAS Unit at the Viva Oil Refinery in Corio at approximately 11.15pm yesterday following multiple calls to Triple Zero (000) reporting explosions and flames,” an FRV spokesperson said.
The Viva Energy Geelong refinery supplies more than 50 per cent of Victoria’s fuel and 10 per cent nationwide, according to Viva’s website, and the fire comes during a global fuel crisis.
“The fire is not yet under control, although it is currently contained to the plant area of origin and involves liquid fuels and gases,” an FRV spokeseperson said.
All emergency response personnel and Viva employees have been accounted for, and there have been no reported injuries.
There is currently a Watch and Act message for areas south of the Corio Refinery, with the public advised to shelter indoors, including:
- What you should do:
- Close all exterior doors and windows.
- Turn off heating and cooling systems.
- Close fireplaces and vents.
- You should avoid the area around and near the Corio Refinery.
- If you are driving, close the windows in your vehicle and turn off the air conditioning.
- Keep the roads clear so emergency services can respond.
- Impacts in your area:
- The smoke may be impacting a large area.
- The smoke may impact areas south of Refinery Road, Corio, and east of Thompsons Road/Shannon Avenue.
- Extending down to Grovedale, Boundary Road to Reedy Lake and Moolap out to Point Henry
- Traffic in the area may be affected.
- Close all exterior doors and windows.
Fire Rescue Victoria specialist Hazardous Materials crews are currently undertaking atmospheric monitoring and are being supported by a Fire Rescue Victoria Scientific Officer.
Support agencies and technical advisors, including Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, EPA and WorkSafe, are on scene.
It began in part of the facility where motor gasoline is produced, according to FRV’s chief fire officer, Michael McGuinness.
“There’s been some sort of leak, there’s hydrocarbons, flammable liquids which very readily caught fire,” he said on ABC radio.
“It was burning in an area of approximately 30 metres by 30 metres. There have been several small explosions.”
The Viva refinery advised that there is no immediate impact on fuel supplies.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said petrol production has been affected, while jet fuel and diesel production are at reduced levels. “At this point, the impact is mainly on petrol production, but obviously this is very early days,” Mr Bowen told Nine’s Today this morning.
The extent of the damage is not yet clear, he added. “The fire’s not yet under control, so there’s still some way to go. “This is not a positive development, but obviously there’s a long way to go in terms of working out just what the impact is.”
Along with the Lytton Oil Refinery in Brisbane, the Geelong plant is one of two facilities capable of refining fuel domestically.
Investigations into the cause of the fire will take place, a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
LAST UPDATED: 0905hrs AEST.
