Firefighters say toxic smoke from a significant factory fire may rage for days as tens of thousands of residents are told to stay inside and a major Melbourne freeway is shut.
Metal drums filled with chemicals were thrown into the air from deep within the blaze on Wednesday afternoon, posing a danger to the 180 firefighters racing to bring it under control.
An explosion sparked the fire at the chemical factory on Swann Drive in Derrimut, west of the CBD, at about 11.20am on Wednesday and was brought under control at about 3.30pm.
No injuries were reported and it was believed everyone inside the building was evacuated safely, Victoria police said.
Hazardous material and unknown toxins were burning, Fire Rescue Victoria said with the Western Freeway closed near the area for health reasons.
“We don’t know what’s in that smoke, smoke is toxic and will cause damage,” firefighter Michelle Cowling told reporters at the scene.
The blaze was Melbourne’s most significant in several years and would probably burn for days, she said.
Those in nearby factories were evacuated and thousands of people in the area were told to stay indoors.
A watch and act alert was issued for the fire affecting thousands of residents and workers in Albion, Braybrook, Brooklyn, Derrimut, Laverton North, Sunshine, Sunshine West, Tottenham and Truganina.
“Wind is blowing toxic smoke towards the east across Derrimut,” the alert said.
“Anyone located in the area affected by smoke should take shelter indoors immediately.”
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A significant amount of back smoke is visible around Derrimut and Sunshine West, due to a factory fire. Motorists in the area, including the Western Freeway and M80 Ring Road, should keep their ventilation on recirculate and windows up. #victraffic pic.twitter.com/8G8YJFzAcy
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Residents away from home were told not to return while those still in the area were told to close all doors, windows and vents.
Drivers in the area were told to keep their windows up to avoid breathing smoke and not to slow down to see the fire.
The Environmental Protection Authority issued an air quality notice and advised anyone with breathing difficulties to ring triple zero.
The factory is near a gas pipeline but emergency services had not issued any alerts over the infrastructure.
Paramedics were at the scene but had not treated any patients.
Last year, a worker died and two others were injured in a fire also triggered by an explosion at a factory on Swann Drive.