Vic: Magnesium fire could burn for two days

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2001
Vic: Magnesium fire could burn for two days

MELBOURNE, Feb 10 AAP - Firefighters may let a blaze fuelled by 50 tonnes of magnesium
at Geelong, south-west of Melbourne, burn itself out.

Firefighters were unable to use water to quell the blaze because of the dangerous reaction
water has with magnesium.

About 40 Country Fire Authority (CFA) officers are at the scene at an industrial estate
in Buckley Grove in the suburb of Moolap.

The explosion and blaze, which ignited about 10.15 pm (AEDT) yesterday, set off several
smaller explosions involving LPG cylinders, according to CFA spokeswoman Donna Martin.

Ms Martin said it was not known what caused the explosion, but there were no reports of injuries.

"It is possible it will burn another day and up to a couple of days," she said.

But she also said CFA officers would tomorrow consider tactics to quell the fire, including
the use of sand.

Ms Martin said the perimeter of the danger area had been cleared to protect nearby buildings.

AAP gfr/mjm

KEYWORD: MAGNESIUM LEAD

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