By Lachlan Abbott
Residents in Melbourne’s west have been warned to stay away from several local waterways because chemicals linked to a huge Derrimut factory fire have contaminated the water.
Victoria’s Environmental Protection Agency warned late on Wednesday that firewater had seeped into Cherry Creek, Anderson’s Swamp and Kayes Drain from the industrial fire on Swann Drive, just south of the Deer Park bypass.
“Avoid contact with the water ... downstream of the fire location until further notice,” the EPA alert said.
The agency said pets should also not touch the water, adding that odours may be smelt in the area and should be avoided.
Stephen Lansdell, the EPA’s western metropolitan region manager, said the ACB Group factory had been inspected nine times since a fatal explosion and fire in October last year that killed a 44-year-old Hoppers Crossing man and injured two others.
He said the chemical manufacturing plant had complied with two notices issued to “make sure they’d cleaned everything up” since the last fire, but the size of Wednesday’s inferno had overawed stormwater valves that had helped stop contaminated firewater running off the site.
Firefighters have brought a massive blaze at a commercial premises in Derrimut under control.Credit: Joe Armao
“We’re really tough on environmental crime and hold polluters to account,” Lansdell told ABC radio, “We’ll be working really closely with WorkSafe and other regulators given there were still investigations going for the previous incident.”
Kerosene, fuel, methylated spirits and ethanol were among the chemicals in the factory, Fire Rescue Victoria Deputy Commissioner Michelle Cowling said.
Joshua Fischer, FRV’s deputy commissioner for community safety, said on Thursday morning some nearby businesses would be allowed to return soon after “significant progress” was made dousing the flames overnight.
“In excess of 3 million litres of water and 40,000 litres of foam has been used to suppress this fire,” Fischer 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.”
The intense fire caused chemical drums to explode, launching them high into the air and endangering people outside the firefighting zone. About 180 firefighters and dozens of trucks responded to the blaze, which reached a seventh-alarm level. No previous fire had passed a fifth-alarm level since FRV became an agency.
On Thursday, Lansdell said the EPA would test the affected waterways and sandbag to stop any contaminants moving further downstream. Specialist trucks would also suck out some affected stormwater, he said.
The now-contaminated Cherry Creek snakes south from the Ring Road and Western Freeway interchange through Anderson’s Swamp in Derrimut grassland and industrial estates in Laverton North before crossing under the West Gate Freeway.
In Altona, the waterway passes close to homes before entering Cherry Lake, which is surrounded by parkland and sports clubs. Cherry Creek eventually enters Port Phillip Bay at the Altona boat ramp in Seaholme.
Kayes Drain is slightly further west, passing near the Swann Drive factory on Mt Derrimut Road and flowing downstream past more factories in Laverton to the Princes Freeway near Kororoit Creek Road. It then connects to Laverton Creek, which runs adjacent to Altona Meadows before entering the bay.
Premier Jacinta Allan said she “can appreciate those questions being raised” about how two major fires occurred at the same factory in less than a year, but she “just wanted to be careful” in commenting further while investigations were underway.
“We have, in recent years, strengthened the powers, particularly of the EPA … and this will be thoroughly investigated by those agencies,” Allan told reporters on Thursday morning.
Plumes of smoke from the Derrimut fire on Wednesday, as seen from Bon Thomas Reserve, Deer Park.Credit: Will Brodie
Lansdale said the threat of toxic smoke had dissipated, and the agency hadn’t received any reports of ash damaging property.
“But, if you do observe any ash residue on your property, wash down impacted surfaces and any fruit and vegetables before eating them,” an EPA alert said.
Victor Arutjunow, director of the chemical blending company, hung up when contacted by The Age on Thursday morning. Matthew Arutjunow, the company’s general manager, also declined to speak.
WorkSafe was on site on Wednesday and is still investigating the deadly October fire which left the building intact and was contained to the property’s rear. Fire Rescue Victoria said Victoria Police would also investigate the latest blaze.
Water Minister Harriet Shing said Melbourne Water was helping test and remove the firewater runoff.
“Contaminated water management is a big part of what they are doing,” she said.
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