© 7NEWSAustralia's Viva Energy oil refinery is on fire, but the blaze is contained, after explosions at the facility in Corio, Victoria, April 15, 2026
An oil refinery is engulfed in flames after an explosion in Victoria on Wednesday morning.
Viva Energy in Corio, near Geelong, is one of Australia's last two oil refineries, and the blaze which engulfed it comes amid a global fuel crisis, with Energy Minister Chris Bowen saying the fire "will impact production".
Multiple explosions were reported about 11.15pm on Tuesday, according to Fire Rescue Victoria.
Flames up to 60m high were initially shooting out from the refinery, Sunrise reports.
The fire is still not under control, but has been contained to the plant where the fire originated; the MoGas area which "involves liquid fuels and gases", firefighters said.
Petrol, high-octane petrol in particular, diesel and jet fuel continues to be produces at the refinery, but Bowen said production take a hit.
"At this point, petrol, rather than diesel and jet fuel" will be impacted, he said.
"It's not great. It's not great timing."
Viva Energy supplies over 50 per cent of Victoria's fuel, and 10 per cent of Australia's fuel.
Bowen confirmed at this stage there are no suspicious circumstances in relation to the fire which is subject to ongoing investigation.
"It all appears to be accidental," Bowen said, dismissing concerns of retaliation related to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Bowen said that production impact assessments are still in early stages, but he will be monitoring the situation alongside the Viva Energy chief executive in the hours to come.
The massive torching flame still visible from the refinery is now the excess burn-off of gas, as crews work to make the area safe — it is separate from the main blaze which continues to produce billowing smoke.
Firefighters told Sunrise the blaze was reduced to an area of about 30m x 30m by 6am.
No employees at the refinery have been injured, and all are accounted for. Viva Energy employs over 1100 people.
One Viva Energy worker said that at the time of the explosion, "there would have been about 30 or 40 people onsite".
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the fire will cause production impacts for the refinery, especially for high-octane petrol. Credit: Sunrise
Locals were promptly sent a Watch and Act alert, urging them to shelter indoors, turn off heating and cooling systems, close fireplaces and vents, avoid the area around the refinery, and close windows.
The latest alert from VicEmergency confirmed that the threat has now been reduced, but that firefighters are continuing their efforts to extinguish the blaze.
"People located within the area are now able to resume normal activities," it said,
"Smoke may still impact the area between Plantation Rd and Cox Rd, and between Bacchus Marsh Rd and the water front."
Locals could reportedly hear explosions and the blaze "roaring" from the surrounding suburbs late last night, according to residents in Norlane, Clifton Springs, Portarlington, and Newcomb.
"It's so loud," one local said on Reddit.
Australia has faced fuel security concerns since the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed following attacks by the US and Israel on Iran, which spurred ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said last month the government would halve the excise on fuel and diesel and remove the heavy road user charge for three months to help households cope with a surge in costs driven by the Iran war.
The full impact of this refinery fire on Australia's fuel supplies remains unclear, with authorities expected to provide further details as the situation develops.
I was a production supervisor at a facility made R11 and R12 and R22 for that matter - twas a swing plant just at the time R11 and R12 were fixing to be banned - and when this happened the "leadership" said make as much as you can and they didn't just "say" it - there were consequences if you didn't - and then the accidents happened - cause when you push a plant too far then accidents happen, but seems the same story - these refineries are under duress and now those seeking short-term profits only are clueless and bad choices get made and then accident happen.
Go Figure - but seems no matter what these misbegotten folks making these choices think, they only dig deeper holes for themselves - and so what happens happens and meanwhile off to the side locally folks start deciding to take matters into their own hands and then better choices get made - but hope you have planned in advance - cause some seriously difficult times are upon us and now it is time for the better ideas to come to the fore.
It ain't gonna be easy and hope you have planned in advance - cause if you haven't it might be too late for you - cause 20th century ideologies are not in the interest of humanity and bad ideas don't die easy - but die they will.
Better ideas beckon - and after some suffering perhaps they will come to the fore - and better times will arise.