A major fire at a key oil refinery in Geelong, Victoria, has raised fears of fuel supply disruptions across Australia after explosions tore through the facility late on April 15.
The blaze broke out just after 11:00pm local time at the Viva Energy refinery in Corio, one of only two remaining refineries in the country. Firefighters battled the flames for around 13 hours before bringing the fire under control.
Authorities said the fire was likely caused by a mechanical failure that triggered a gas leak, leading to multiple explosions. Despite the intensity of the blaze, no injuries were reported among workers or emergency crews. The refinery supplies roughly 50% of Victoria’s fuel and about 10% of Australia’s total fuel, making it critical to national energy security.
Operations have been reduced as safety checks continue, with officials warning it is too early to assess the full impact on petrol production. The incident comes amid an ongoing global fuel crisis linked to Middle East tensions, amplifying concerns over potential shortages and price increases.
