Firefighters battle huge blaze at Australian oil refinery

A massive, uncontrolled fire engulfs the Geelong oil refinery, threatening a critical national fuel supply chain and forcing a major emergency response. | Contesto: cronaca

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• Firefighters battle huge blaze at Australian oil refinery

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A major fire is burning out of control at the Geelong oil refinery in Victoria, Australia, with firefighters engaged in a critical battle to contain the blaze at one of the nation's only two such facilities. The incident, which began on Tuesday, has sent plumes of thick, black smoke billowing over the industrial area, visible for miles and prompting immediate emergency protocols. Authorities have cordoned off a significant perimeter around the site, and while there are no initial reports of casualties, the scale of the fire presents a severe and ongoing challenge for fire crews. The Geelong refinery, operated by Viva Energy, is a cornerstone of Australia's domestic fuel supply, processing approximately 120,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Its strategic importance cannot be overstated; alongside the Lytton refinery in Queensland, it forms a crucial domestic buffer against global fuel market volatility. A prolonged shutdown or significant damage to the facility could have immediate and far-reaching consequences for fuel supplies across the southeastern states, potentially impacting everything from commercial transport to consumer petrol prices. The sight of the uncontrolled inferno has therefore triggered deep concern within government and industry circles. Firefighting efforts are being described as complex and hazardous, typical of industrial fires involving hydrocarbons. Crews are reportedly employing defensive tactics, focusing on cooling adjacent storage tanks and infrastructure to prevent a catastrophic chain-reaction explosion, rather than attempting a direct assault on the main fire. The use of foam and water cannons is underway, but the intensity of the heat and the volatile nature of the materials involved limit operational options. Specialist hazardous materials units have been deployed to monitor air quality in surrounding suburbs, though initial advice for residents has been to stay indoors and keep windows closed. The incident casts a harsh light on Australia's increasingly fragile fuel security. In recent years, the country has seen several refineries close, shifting reliance towards imported refined fuels. The Geelong and Lytton plants are the...

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Categoria: cronaca