Factory Fire Probes Won’t Be Quick, Authorities Warn

Authorities still don’t know what caused a major Melbourne chemical factory blaze that leaked potentially toxic pollutants into local waterways. The inferno at a Derrimut factory in Melbourne’s west on July 10 was the city’s biggest industrial fire in years, leading to explosions that sent chemical drums flying into the air. No one was injured, with more than 180 firefighters battling the blaze for four hours before it was declared under control. Several hotspots were still smouldering on July 12 afternoon, with fire crews waiting for the site to be demolished before the blaze could be snuffed out. It was too early to give any indication about what caused the initial blast but it was not being treated as suspicious, Fire Rescue Victoria Deputy Commissioner Josh Fischer said on July 12....