• A major fire has erupted at Viva Energy's refinery in Geelong, Australia.
• The blaze is affecting petrol production amid global supply concerns due to geopolitical tensions.
• Emergency crews have been deployed to tackle the fire, which remains out of control.

A significant fire broke out early Thursday at the Geelong refinery operated by Viva Energy, one of Australia's two remaining oil refineries, which is critical in supplying approximately 10% of the nation's fuel. Fire Rescue Victoria reported that the fire started with explosions and involved "liquid fuels and gases." Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and the company has indicated there is "no immediate impact on fuel supplies" at this moment, although the fire is yet to be controlled, according to Indiatimes.

The ongoing blaze has ignited fears regarding petrol shortages in Australia due to interruptions in fuel supply. With the Geelong refinery processing up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day, Energy Minister Chris Bowen noted that disruptions primarily impact petrol production, while diesel and jet fuel are still being produced at reduced levels for safety precautions. He emphasized that these developments are "not positive," but acknowledged that it is "too early" to assess the full impact of the fire, as reported by BBC and Reuters.

The fire erupted due to a significant leak of flammable gases and was described as "ferocious," quickly escalating into several explosions. Local authorities have warned residents about potential air quality hazards, but affirmed there is no direct public threat at this stage. The Geelong refinery, located roughly an hour's drive from Melbourne, plays an essential role in Australia's petroleum landscape, and any disruption could exacerbate already strained supply chains due to ongoing geopolitical conflicts, especially related to the Strait of Hormuz, as detailed by Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

The ongoing supply issues have prompted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to engage with leaders from Malaysia and other regional partners to secure fuel support, reflecting the urgency of the situation. While Australian officials have refrained from rationing fuel, citizen reports of panic buying underscore rising public anxiety in response to this incident and ongoing international supply disruptions, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.