An out of-control fire has erupted at one of Australia’s two remaining oil refineries. 

Firefighters rushed to the Geelong Viva Energy refinery in Corio shortly after 11pm on Wednesday night.

Authorities are still responding to the ‘significant’ fire with 60m-high flames 

Up to 60 firefighters were still battling the out-of-control blaze eight hours later at 7am Thursday.

A watch and act warning was issued for a dozen surrounding suburbs after a wind change sent smoke towards northern Geelong.

Hundreds of residents in impacted areas were urged to shelter indoors and keep their windows closed due to the large amount of smoke.

The warning was downgraded shortly before 5.30am.

‘Smoke may still impact the area. Traffic in the area may be affected,’ a Country Fire Authority alert stated.

The Geelong Viva Energy refinery burst into flames on Wednesday night and continued to burn out of control seven hours later

 Residents in surrounding suburbs were ordered to remain indoors and keep windows closed

About 30 refinery staff who were at the site at the time have all been accounted for and there were no reports of injuries.

It’s understood that critical infrastructure in the refinery’s motor gasoline area has been damaged.

‘We still haven’t got the full report of how bad it is, but it’s significant,’ AMWU organiser Tony Hynds told Sunrise.

‘I was just astounded that no one was injured, knowing how dangerous that area is and what could have potentially could have happened.’

The facility supplies 50 per cent of Victoria’s fuel and 10 per cent of Australia’s, putting out 120,000 barrels of oil a day. 

Energy Minister Chris Bowen confirmed the blaze will impact on production at the refinery in the middle of a global fuel crisis.

‘It will impact on production at this point, petrol rather than diesel and jet fuel,’ he told Sunrise .

‘But we’re going to continue to work closely with Viva and really monitor and work together on any impacts. 

The blaze was still burning out of control eight hours later on Thursday morning

The Geelong Viva Energy refinery in Corio is one of Australia’s last remaining refineries

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

‘There will be an investigation but at this point, there are no suspicious circumstances,’ Bowen said. 

‘It all appears to be accidental.’

The facility has been in operation for seven decades and employs more than 1,100 workers.

The refinery also produces hydrocarbon solvents, marine fuel oil, low aromatic fuel, avgas, bitumen and high-quality plastic feedstock used to create food packaging, medical equipment and polymer banknotes.