‘Red Sky’ and Shockwaves: Locals Describe Fire at One of Australia’s Last Fuel Refineries

Geelong local Benny Young said the fire let off an ‘ominous hiss.’

Geelong local and father Benny Young's photo of the blaze that erupted at the Viva Energy oil refinery on April 16, 2026. The refinery is one of two left in Australia after a series of closures over two decades in favour of cheaper alternatives in Asia. Australia's fuel supply chain has been under scrutiny due to sky-high fuel prices in recent weeks. Courtesy of Benny Young

Locals in Geelong spoke about the moment a fire engulfed one of Australia’s two remaining fuel refineries amid the current supply chain crisis.

Just before midnight on April 15, locals were awoken to the sights and sounds of multiple fire crews arriving to deal with the blaze.

Benny Young, a single dad of three, said his children first noticed the sky had changed colour.

“The kids saw it outside the front of the house first and got me out of bed to have a look at the red sky, he told The Epoch Times.

“We decided to have a closer look.”

Young also said the fire let off an “ominous hiss.”

He says the children were “a little nervous,” but the family luckily didn’t have to evacuate.

The Victorian dad said a friend of his who lives closer to the refinery described feeling a “shockwave” through his home as the fire grew.

The situation comes as Australia’s fuel supply chain faces scrutiny amid the Iran War because the country imports about 90 percent of all its fuel products from Asia, which in turn, imports most of its raw materials from the Middle East.

Locally the situation has caused unleaded petrol prices to skyrocket to nearly $3.00 per litre before government tax cuts helped lower them temporarily.

In 2000, Australia had eight refineries that provided the nation’s needs, but most were closed down in favour of importing cheaper alternatives from Singapore, South Korea, and China.

Only the Viva Energy refinery in Geelong and the Ampol facility in Brisbane remain.

Viva supplies about half of Victoria’s fuel and 10 percent of the nation’s.

Fellow local Ashley Van Vledder said the fire was “pretty maintained.”

“It was not scary,” he told The Epoch Times. “It was quite fascinating. Something to watch for Geelong, which is always unreal to see something like this.”

Fire Rescue Victoria Says Fuel Production ‘Reduced’ Temporarily

The most recent update from Fire Rescue Victoria says the blaze broke out due equipment failure at about 11.15 p.m. on April 15.

“The production of diesel and petrol continues, however, it has been reduced for safety reasons,” the group said.

The fire is still not fully under control. All employees and crews have been accounted for and there are no reported injuries.

Residents living very close to the refinery are still being reminded to close windows, doors, and other hatches and to also drive with their windows up and air-conditioning off to avoid exposure to smoke.

Victoria Police, ambulance crews, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Worksafe are all on scene.

Ampol Offers Assistance

Ampol, which operates the Lytton fuel refinery in Brisbane, says it is willing to assist Viva if required.

“Ampol acknowledges the incident at Viva’s refinery in Geelong, and our thoughts are with the organisation as they manage the unfolding situation,” a company spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

“Ampol will provide assistance to Viva if requested and where it is practical to help ensure the continuity of Australia’s fuel supply.

“Our Lytton refinery continues to operate at full capacity, and we remain committed to safely prioritising the fuel needs of our customers.”