Gerald Lynch with AAP
The factory fire in Derrimut has been deemed under control by Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV).
The Western Freeway is closed in both directions between the M80 Ring Road and Robinsons Road, due to a factory fire in Derrimut.
VicTraffic is urging drivers to use the M80 Ring Road and Ballarat Road instead. Inbound lanes remain open for now but with heavy delays.
There was a large chemical explosion resulting in a significant factory fire in Derrimut this morning, causing a large plume of smoke to blow over the eastern and western suburbs of Melbourne.
FRV crews arrived at the Swann Drive scene at 11.20am.
There was hazardous material and unknown toxins burning. Metal drums filled with chemicals have been thrown into the air from deep within the blaze, posing a danger to the 180 firefighters racing to bring it under control.
FRV has requested an evacuation along Swann Drive to Bliss Court, and told those in the area affected by smoke should take shelter indoors immediately.
FRV has issued a ‘Watch and Act’ message for Albion, Braybrook, Brooklyn, Derrimut, Laverton North, Sunshine, Sunshine West, Tottenham, Truganina.
“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, was not yet under control and would likely burn for days, she said.
“We’ve got embers burning, fire burning, until we can get close enough even with our aerial appliances that are on site and specialist hazmat people on site we can’t get in close enough to cool this fire down,” she said.
Police have also responded to the explosion and subsequent fire, and at this time there have been no reports of injuries and it is believed everyone inside the premises evacuated safely.
Traffic in the area is expected to be impacted for some time with Swann Drive closed as well as westbound traffic on the Deer Park bypass being stopped for safety.
The factory is located close to a gas pipeline but emergency services have not issued any alerts over the infrastructure.
One worker died and two were injured in a factory fire on the same Derrimut street in 2023, also sparked by an explosion.
