Melbourne emergency
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Fire
As fireys battled the inferno, toxic chemicals pooled around them – while authorities feuded
Water authorities allowed huge pools of water and firefighting foam contaminated with chemicals to collect around an enormous industrial site in Derrimut.
- by Chris Vedelago and Lachlan Abbott
Latest
Crocodiles and the world’s deadliest snake evacuated from Melbourne factory after fire
Hundreds of reptiles were evacuated from a warehouse in Melbourne’s east after a fire broke out. Wildlife Victoria has called it a “devastating incident” that has resulted in substantial loss of life.
- by Marika Dobbin-Thomas
Updated
Victoria
Assumption College school bus driver dies in crash north of Melbourne
Passers-by used a ladder to help pull frightened children out of the school bus after it ran off the road near Kilmore.
- by Bridie Smith and Alex Crowe
Updated
Tragedy
‘Beyond comprehension’: Victoria’s hot air balloon industry reeling after tragedy
The popular hot air balloon industry has been rocked by tragedy after a man fell to his death in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
- by Hannah Kennelly, Madeleine Heffernan and Najma Sambul
Updated
Bushfires
Fire-ravaged towns warned to brace for ‘worst fire day’ in four years
Forecast extreme heat, high winds and dry lightning mean Wednesday will be “a very dangerous and difficult day across Victoria”, Premier Jacinta Allan said.
- by Ashleigh McMillan
Updated
Crime
PSO shoots man wielding broken glass near Flinders Street Station
Victoria Police said protective services officers were responding to an unrelated alleged assault that left four people in hospital.
- by Lachlan Abbott and Alex Crowe
Updated
Tragedy
Three drown in Phillip Island tragedy, fourth in critical condition
Distraught relatives and friends of the deceased gathered in the car park near the scene of the tragedy on Wednesday evening.
- by Lachlan Abbott, Chris Vedelago and Justin McManus
As it happened: Towns on edge as floodwaters set to peak in Rochester
Evacuation orders have been issued for parts of Rochester, Seymour and Yea as fast-rising water threatens to inundate homes after rainfall records were broken across central Victoria on Monday.
- by Patrick Hatch and Alex Crowe
Worst year for road deaths since 2008 as COVID habits wreak havoc
The greatest loss of life on Victoria’s roads in 15 years has prompted a government commitment to review speed limits on country roads, and calls for stronger police enforcement to correct dangerous driving habits.
- by Patrick Hatch
Two people die in state’s east as storm disrupts Boxing Day Test
A man died in Caringal near Rawson after a tree branch fell on him just after 9am, while weather stopped play for almost three hours at the MCG.
- by Lachlan Abbott
Updated
Australian Open
Fire breaks out at Kooyong tennis club weeks before Australian Open stars arrive
Firefighters have extinguished a fire that broke out in an air conditioning unit at one of Australia’s most prestigious tennis venues.
- by Carla Jaeger