Fire hits major Australian refinery

Emergency crews worked through the night to extinguish the fire, which sent plumes of smoke visible for 15 kilometers.

While management is confident that production can be restored, experts warn that Victorian petrol prices could spike by as much as 20 cents per liter in the short term.

The incident comes at a critical time as Australia's fuel security is already strained by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Politicians are facing renewed calls to increase domestic fuel reserves and reconsider the reliance on aging infrastructure.