FRV responding to significant factory fire in Derrimut

Update 12pm 16 July

Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) remains at Derrimut today following last week's factory fire with a small number of personnel and appliances on scene.

RPAS (remote piloted aircraft systems) drones continue to monitor the incident for thermal changes as several hotspots continue to burn. Overall, the site is continuing to display a cooling trend.

FRV crews have been unable to access some parts of the site due to ongoing concerns about structural integrity and contamination.

Our priority continues to be making the scene safe.

A safety exclusion zone was established on the outer perimeter of adjoining properties; however, neighbouring businesses have been cleared by FRV to return.

Update 4.15pm 12 July

Approximately 20 firefighters and 5 appliances continue to be on scene in Derrimut.

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 crews will continue to suppress hotspots and take the heat out of locations that are still burning.

Atmospheric monitoring continues today and our RPAS (remote piloted aircraft systems) drones are flying over the incident to provide valuable intelligence.

FRV fire investigators are working with WorkSafe and Victoria Police, there is no indication at this time the fire was suspicious.

Given the nature of the incident and potential exposure risks, prioritising the health of firefighters and other attending staff is essential.

A team of specialists, including FRV medical and safety officers, are working with the Incident Management Team (IMT) to assess the health and wellbeing of firefighters and monitor any ongoing effects.

FRV Health will be contacting all employees who attended the incident to ensure they are well, and to identify and treat any symptoms if they occur and to offer a confidential and voluntary health check.

Some appliances, including pumpers and a ladder platform, are inaccessible due to hazards related to structural integrity and wastewater management.

FRV Deputy Commissioner Josh Fischer said authorities will remain at the scene for days, if not weeks, and FRV will continue to work with partner organisations such as the EPA and WorkSafe.

“This is a complex and dangerous environment, there are a lot of hazards associated with this incident so we’re taking extreme caution and care as we manage those risks for our firefighters from the time of the incident and into the future,” Deputy Commissioner Fischer said.

“Firefighting is a strenuous activity, particularly over a long duration wearing breathing apparatus in hot environments and stressful conditions.”

“This was a massive, well-coordinated team effort to bring this incident Under Control in just over four hours with no impact to adjoining buildings in terms of fire spread.”

“A special thanks to our firefighters, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and the Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service. In Victoria we work as one in the emergency management sector, and we are well supported by our partner agencies.”

Deputy Commissioner Fischer reiterated FRV’s thanks to all emergency responders and partner organisations including Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, VICSES, EPA, Melbourne Water, WorkSafe and local government.

Update 5.22pm

Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) remains on scene and will continue to monitor the incident for spot fires.

There are several hotspots still active which cannot be accessed due to the structural collapse and FRV will wait for demolition works to commence in order to completely extinguish the blaze.

Approximately 60 firefighters and 12 appliances remain at the scene.

Multiple trucks have been cleaned and removed from the site and more appliances and equipment will be cleaned over the next few days.

FRV will maintain a presence alongside partner agencies until the incident is handed over which is expected to take place in a couple of days.

A community advice warning for surrounding suburbs to stay informed, issued on Thursday morning, remains active.

Update 9.35am 11 July

Fire Rescue Victoria Deputy Commissioner Community Safety Joshua Fischer said that due to successful firefighting efforts, nearby businesses would be allowed to return on a case-by-case basis.

DC Fischer said: “Significant progress has been made overnight by Fire Rescue Victoria with support from our colleagues in the Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service who provided additional aviation firefighting tenders to deliver bulk water and foam on the fire.

“In excess of 3 million litres of water and 40,000 litres of foam has been used to suppress this fire.

“There are still road closures in place and a current ‘Watch and Act’ in place for the same area issued yesterday.”

DC Fischer said the exact cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

“Our FRV fire investigators, together with Victoria Police and WorkSafe are undertaking that investigation and it is ongoing,” he said.

“It is going to take some time to ascertain the exact cause and we also need to gain access to the scene which is an active fire area with lots of contaminants and structural integrity issues of the remaining building.

“This is challenging and dynamic environment. For FRV this is our first seventh alarm, so this is a significant incident.”

DC Fischer paid tribute to the multi-agency response, with support provided by the Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service, CFA, VICSES, Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria.

“In Victoria, in the emergency management sector we work as one, in a large co-ordinated effort. There is a long list of supporting agencies such as the EPA, local government and Melbourne Water,” he said.

“I really want to thank all the first responders, particularly our firefighters, working in the most dangerous conditions as you saw from the footage yesterday with explosions and debris falling onto the fire impact area.”

DC Fischer said in addition to continuing to suppress the fire and managing the atmosphere and surrounding environment, a key focus was on firefighter well-being.

There have been no reported major injuries.

Update 7.30pm

FRV advises that businesses in Swann Circuit and Bliss Court must remain closed tonight.

FRV does not want people exposed to the wastewater and toxic smoke, and they cannot return until it is safe to do so.

FRV will provide further advice to the community after 6AM tomorrow.

Update from EPA at 6.35pm

Avoid contact with water at Cherry Creek, Anderson’s Swamp and Kayes Drain, Derrimut

Firewater has entered Cherry Creek, Anderson’s Swamp and Kayes Drain due to the industrial fire.

Avoid contact with the water (including pets) downstream of the fire location until further notice.

Odours may be observed in the area. Avoid areas where odours occur.

Update 5pm

Fire Rescue Victoria Deputy Commissioner North & West Michelle Cowling AFSM said crews would likely remain on site over coming days to fully extinguish the fire.

Major arterial roads are starting to reopen.

"Our crews have been working around the clock since 11.20am this morning and have brought this significant fire under control," Deputy Commissioner Cowling said.

“There have been no reports of any injuries to staff or to any of the emergency services on site."

“The cause of this fire will be fully investigated by WorkSafe, FRV, Victoria Police and other agencies."

"The factory contained a range of chemicals, including kerosene, fuel, methylated spirits and ethanol."

"We cannot leave any smouldering embers."

"It has been a huge fire and Fire Rescue Victoria firefighters have done an amazing job, relying on their training and professionalism to bring this fire under control in such as short amount of time."

Update 3.32pm

The fire has been deemed Under Control.

Update 3pm

More than 180 firefighters are responding to the fire in Derrimut.

FRV's specialist hazmat and scientific advisors are on site, as well as the Environment Protection Authority.

Update 1.25pm

FRV is attending a large factory fire at Swann Drive, Derrimut, with hazardous material and unknown toxins burning.

FRV has requested an evacuation along Swann Drive to Bliss Court, which Victoria Police is managing.

FRV has issued a ‘Watch and Act’ message for Albion, Braybrook, Brooklyn, Derrimut, Laverton North, Sunshine, Sunshine West, Tottenham, Truganina.

A large plume of smoke is blowing over the eastern and western suburbs of Melbourne.

Anyone located in the area affected by smoke should take shelter indoors immediately.

11.30am 10 July 2024

FRV is responding to a significant factory fire in Derrimut.

The fire has involved a large chemical explosion and a fire.

Crews arrived at the Swann Drive scene at 11.20am.

Specialist appliances are on scene, including aerial appliances.

A community advice warning has been issued for Albion, Braybrook, Brooklyn, Derrimut, Laverton North, Sunshine, Sunshine West, Tottenham, Truganina.

Additional appliances are being deployed to the scene, as crews work to attack the fire.