MELBOURNE, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen said on Thursday that a major fire which broke out at one of the country's two oil refineries on Wednesday night will impact the national fuel supply.
The fire broke out at Viva Energy's refinery in the city of Geelong, 65 km southwest of Melbourne, around 11 p.m. local time on Wednesday, causing explosions and an emergency warning for smoke.
The facility is one of only two operational oil refineries in Australia and produces about 50 percent of the fuel supply for the state of Victoria, and 10 percent of the national supply.
Bowen said that the fire would affect Australia's fuel supply, but that final conclusions about the extent could not be made while it was still burning.
He said that the facility was producing diesel and jet fuel at reduced levels on Thursday morning as a precaution.
"The major impact at this point appears to be more on petrol production," he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television. "I'm sure petrol production will continue but it may be impacted for some time."
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) said the fire started in the refinery's motor gasoline unit and that flames reached up to 60 meters in height.
It said that all emergency responders and workers were accounted for and no injuries were reported.
FRV Assistant Chief Fire Officer Michael McGuinness told ABC radio that the fire was being fueled by various types of hydrocarbon fuel and that it was expected to continue burning for several hours on Thursday morning.
"It was burning in an area of approximately 30 meters by 30 meters. There have been several small explosions," he said.
An emergency warning for smoke in the early hours of Thursday morning advised residents in Geelong to stay indoors, close all doors and windows and turn off heating and cooling systems.
The federal government in March struck a deal to continue subsidizing the operation of the refinery, and Australia's other oil refinery in Brisbane, into the 2030s. ■