Late Wednesday evening, the Geelong Fire Department in southeastern Australia was alerted to explosions and a large fire at one of the country's two operating oil refineries.
Still, more than eight hours later, the fire is out of control, ABC News reports.
The refinery can process up to 120,000 barrels of oil a day and, along with a similar plant in Brisbane, is one of only two in the country used to produce gasoline from crude oil. All other fuels are imported.
The country already had a fuel shortage before the fire, as Australia imports all its oil and gasoline from Asia, and those imports have been drastically affected by the war in Iran.
The fire began in the section of the plant where gasoline is refined and is believed to have been caused by a liquid hydrocarbon leak, according to Victoria State Fire Commissioner Michael McGuinness. No foul play is suspected at this time.
"It's still burning, and the fire will be allowed to burn out. It was burning so intensely that it was difficult for firefighters to do anything other than just wait it out," Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj told ABC.
All employees at the refinery are safe.
