Small fires are still burning at a Melbourne factory a week after a blaze sent chemical drums flying through the air.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The inferno at a Derrimut factory, in Melbourne's west, on Wednesday was the city's biggest industrial fire in years.
Fire crews are still extinguishing hot spots at the scene on Tuesday.
Drones continue to monitor the area for thermal changes as several hotspots continue to burn but overall the site was continuing to cool, Fire Rescue Victoria says.
"FRV crews have been unable to access some parts of the site due to ongoing concerns about structural integrity and contamination," it said in a statement.
More than 180 firefighters battled the blaze on Wednesday and it took four hours before it was declared under control.
Its cause is still unknown, but Fire Rescue Victoria Deputy Commissioner Josh Fischer said on Friday it was not being treated as suspicious.
Drums containing kerosene, methylated spirits, methanol and other substances were stored at the site, fuelling the blaze.
More than three million litres of water and 40,000 litres of foam were used to fight the towering flames.
Authorities have pumped wastewater for offsite treatment, blocked stormwater drains with sandbags and deployed containment booms to stop it spreading further downstream.
Residents have been told to keep themselves and their pets away from Kayes Drain, Cherry Creek, Laverton Creek and Andersons Swamp.
EPA Victoria remains at the scene, focusing on a clean up of contaminated firewater and monitoring nearby waterways.
So far, there have not been any indication of impact on fish and birds in the area.
Melbourne Water continues to remove contaminated water, with Brimbank Council cleaning roads surrounding the fire site.
A safety exclusion zone was established on the outer perimeter of adjoining properties but neighbouring businesses have been cleared by Fire Rescue Victoria to return.
Australian Associated Press
