By Benjamin Millar
Mystery continues to surround what chemicals were being stored at the site of the massive blaze that tore through a warehouse near West Footscray in August.
Seven weeks after the inferno sent a plume of smoke across the city and devastated nearby Stony Creek, authorities are yet to reveal either the cause of the fire or a precise description of what materials were on site.
Victoria Police arson and explosive squad detectives have been investigating how the fire began since the MFB declared the cause as potentially suspicious.
A police spokesman said there are no further updates and the investigation remains ongoing.
WorkSafe executive director of health and safety, Paul Fowler, last month told a community meeting that his authority had been unaware there were dangerous goods being stored in the warehouse.
The EPA is scheduling on-site sampling this week to gain a clearer idea of exactly what chemicals were being stored in the asbestos-riddled warehouse.
An EPA spokeswoman said the authority has been undertaking daily inspections to ensure the owner is managing contaminated water and complying with a requirement to develop a waste removal plan.
“As the matter is currently under investigation it would be inappropriate to comment on the investigation or on potential charges at this time,” she said.
The clean-up and recovery plan for Stony Creek is being led by Melbourne Water, with input from EPA, Maribyrnong Council, DEWLP and Parks Victoria.
Melbourne Water general manager of waterways and land, Tim Wood, said about 70 million litres of contaminated water has been pumped from Stony Creek and 170 cubic metres of contaminated sediment removed directly downstream of the fire site.
“We would like to thank the local community including the Friends of Stony Creek and the Friends of Cruickshank Park who continue to contribute and support the recovery of Stony Creek.”
More than 2500 dead fish and birds have been collected from the lower reaches of the creek.
EPA continues to advise people and pets to avoid contact with Stony Creek and avoid eating fish caught in Stony Creek, the lower Yarra and Hobsons Bay.
