Live: Authorities continue to battle fire at Viva Energy oil refinery

The fire at the Viva Energy oil refinery in Geelong is a serious concern for Australia, particularly for Victoria's fuel supply. ABC Australia is closely monitoring the situation as authorities work to contain the blaze. Energy Minister Chris Bowen has confirmed that while diesel and jet fuel are still being produced, albeit at reduced levels, the primary impact is on petrol production. This is a critical issue, as an expert has warned of potential petrol outages across Victoria in the coming weeks and months, with a significant portion of the state's petrol supply originating from this refinery. The timing of this incident is particularly unfortunate, exacerbating existing supply chain pressures. The nation's reliance on a limited number of refineries means that such an event has far-reaching consequences, highlighting the vulnerability of our energy infrastructure.

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at reduced levels, as a precaution