Fire at Louisiana auto plant is 90% contained while evacuation order remains
A major industrial fire erupted at a factory in Derrimut, in Melbourne’s western suburbs, sending a massive plume of dark smoke across the city’s skyline. The blaze, which began late Wednesday morning, prompted one of the largest emergency responses in Victoria’s recent history.
More than 180 firefighters were deployed to combat the aggressive fire, which involved chemical storage drums. Witnesses reported explosions sending debris high into the air, with the smoke visible from over 20 kilometres away.
As a precaution, nearby businesses were evacuated and major roads, including parts of the Western Freeway, were closed. This caused significant disruption to the afternoon commute and local traffic.
Authorities confirmed no injuries were reported among factory workers, residents, or emergency crews. This was considered a positive outcome given the hazardous materials involved and the scale of the fire.
The Environment Protection Authority issued health warnings, urging residents to stay indoors and close windows due to the toxic smoke. Air quality was closely monitored as the smoke spread across the western suburbs.
Environmental concerns were immediately raised over chemical runoff from firefighting water. Officials worked to contain the contaminated water to prevent it from entering local creeks and stormwater systems.
The cause of the fire is unknown and will be investigated once the site is safe. The incident has reignited discussions about safety regulations and storage practices at industrial facilities in the region.
