MEDIA RELEASE
Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board
456 Albert Street, East Melbourne 3002 Tel (03) 9662 2311 Fax (03) 9665 4244 www.mfb.vic.gov.au
ONLY WORKING SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES
9 February 2010
1600hrs
Incident update: petrol leak at Mobil Refinery
Peak-hour motorists are warned of traffic diversions and delays as the west-bound lanes of
Kororoit Creek Road remain closed between the railway crossing and Millers Road while
MFB control appliances remain on scene.
Over 50 MFB firefighters and 16 appliances are still at the Mobil Refinery in Altona,
continuing work to manage a leak of unleaded fuel from a large storage tank.
The leaked fuel is contained to the bund (a walled off area that prevents any of the petrol
from entering drainage systems or polluting waterways) surrounding the tank.
An aerial firefighting appliance is being used to maintain a blanket of foam over the leaked
fuel, to prevent vapours.
At this stage there are no environmental concerns, with the leaked petrol and vapours
contained by the bund and foam blanket.
MFB firefighters are working with Exxon Mobil engineers to safely decant the remaining fuel
from the leaking tank into an adjacent tank.
MFB Incident Controller Assistant Chief Fire Officer Wayne Bradborn said that it has been a
long duration operation.
“Our firefighters are well prepared. The incident is now safe, and MFB is preparing to scale
resources. The incident will continue to be managed slowly to ensure everyone’s safety.”
MFB Scientific Officers continue to monitor atmospheric levels downwind of the bund, to
ensure there is no risk to workers and neighbouring communities.
They are also monitoring nearby creeks and waterways, which remain clear.
The Environmental Protection Authority, Department of Human Services and Workcover
have also attended.
At this stage, the operation is expected to continue for a number of hours.
For further information please contact:
MFB Media and Communications
03 9665 4699
media@mfb.vic.gov.au
NEWS 
