Fire Rescue Victoria received the first calls at 11:05 pm AEST on Wednesday, 16 April 2026, after multiple reports of explosions and flames at the Viva Energy refinery on Refinery Road, Corio. By the time crews arrived on scene, the fire had already spread through the refinery’s mogas unit, the section responsible for producing motor gasoline.
The blaze covered an area roughly 30 metres by 30 metres at its peak. There were several small explosions as flammable hydrocarbons fed the fire. At one point, 50 firefighters were on site, working to contain the intensity before the fire could spread further.
All refinery staff were accounted for. No injuries were reported.
Geelong Refinery Fire Starts in Motor Gasoline Unit
FRV Assistant Chief Fire Officer Michael McGuinness confirmed the fire began in the mogas section, where motor gasoline is produced.
“There’s been some sort of leak, there’s hydrocarbons, flammable liquids which very readily caught fire,” he said.
McGuinness described the blaze as “quite ferocious,” noting it escalated from a small fire to a large and intense one through a series of explosions. He added the incident was not being treated as suspicious.
“It may very well be just a malfunction of a piece of pipework or a valve,” he said.
He expected the fire to continue burning until at least midday Thursday, but noted a “drop off in intensity” by early morning.
🇦🇺 Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery one of only TWO operational in Australia is burning right now.
Explosions reported.
Residents told to stay indoors.
Fire started in the motor gasoline production section.The timing couldn’t be worse:
🛢️ Hormuz blockaded global supply already… pic.twitter.com/jvR0Vilof6
— Jack Prandelli (@jackprandelli) April 15, 2026
Australia’s Fuel Supply Faces Pressure as Fire Hits Key Refinery
The Geelong facility is one of just two operational oil refineries left in Australia, the other being in Brisbane. Together, they produce around 20% of the country’s total fuel requirements.
The Geelong plant alone accounts for 50% of Victoria’s fuel supply and about 10% of Australia’s overall fuel output. It can process up to 120,000 barrels of crude oil per day, producing petrol, diesel, LPG, jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and Low Aromatic Fuel.
Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen confirmed the fire “will have an impact” on fuel production, though the full extent was not yet clear at the time of the announcement.
“I’m sure petrol production will continue, but it may be impacted for some time,” Bowen said.
Viva Energy CEO Scott Wyatt said the company’s immediate priority was safety, and that production would not resume until it was safe to do so.
“There are units that make petrol that haven’t been impacted by this incident as well,” he said. “We’ll only start increasing production again once we’re confident we can do that safely.”
This development arrives at a particularly difficult time. Australia’s fuel market has been under strain for several weeks due to the conflict in Iran, which has disrupted global oil shipments and placed pressure on import-dependent supply chains. Colitco recently reported on Viva Energy’s strong market position following the government’s decision to lift the Fuel Security Services Payment collar, a move designed to shore up domestic refining capacity.
Watch and Act Issued for Geelong Suburbs Near Corio
The Country Fire Authority issued a Watch and Act alert covering areas south of Refinery Road, Corio, advising residents to shelter indoors. The warning was later downgraded as crews confirmed the fire posed no immediate public threat.
Smoke remained visible across parts of Geelong throughout the morning, with the CFA advising traffic in the surrounding area may be affected.
Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj described the fire as “unprecedented.”
“The fire is still burning and will have to just burn out. Because of the intensity, it was difficult for the fire units to do much other than to watch it burn out,” he told ABC Radio Melbourne.
Australian Workers Union branch secretary Ronnie Hayden, who described the refinery as looking “like a war zone” when the fire broke out, praised the workforce for their response.
“I put it down to the skill of our workforce in there,” Hayden said. “They’ve been doing this for 70 years; they know what to do if something goes wrong.”
What the Fire Means for Petrol Prices and Supply
With the fire still being investigated and production units offline, market watchers are now asking how long it will take to restore full output. The Victorian government said early Thursday that no impact on petrol and diesel production or storage capacity had been identified, though that assessment remained subject to change.
Viva Energy has not issued a formal timeline for repair or resumed production. The company’s ASX-listed operations span fuel, convenience retail, and aviation supply across a national network of more than 1,500 service stations.
With Brisbane hosting the country’s only other operational oil refinery, any prolonged shutdown at Geelong carries genuine national supply implications.
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FAQs
Q: What caused the Viva Energy Geelong refinery fire?
A: Fire Rescue Victoria said the fire likely started from a leak in a hydrocarbon line or valve in the motor gasoline production section of the refinery. It is not being treated as suspicious.
Q: Was anyone hurt in the Geelong refinery fire?
A: No. All 50-odd refinery staff on site at the time were accounted for and no injuries were reported.
Q: How will the fire affect fuel prices in Australia?
A: The full impact on fuel supply and prices is yet to be determined. Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen confirmed production will be affected, but the duration and severity remain unclear.
Q: How many oil refineries does Australia have?
A: Australia currently has two operational oil refineries: one in Geelong, operated by Viva Energy, and one in Brisbane.
Q: Is the Geelong refinery still operating after the fire?
A: Some units not affected by the fire were continuing to operate, according to Viva Energy CEO Scott Wyatt. However, the company will not resume full production until it deems the site safe.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult a qualified financial adviser before making investment decisions.
Source:
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj40pdw79z9o
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-16/geelong-corio-refinery-fire/106569692
