Columns of fire engulfed a crucial Australian oil refinery after a chain of explosions, authorities said on Thursday (April 16, 2026) as they warned of disruptions to domestic fuel supply.

Flames as tall as 60 metres erupted late on Wednesday (April 15, 2026) after a gas leak caught fire at the Viva fuel plant in Victoria State, firefighters said, one of only two working oil refineries in Australia.

The refinery, about an hour’s drive southwest of State capital Melbourne, pumps out about 10% of Australia’s fuel, according to energy company Viva.