Longford Gas Plant Explosion
On 25 September 1998 an explosion at one of three gas plants operated by Esso at Longford killed two employees, Peter Wilson and John Lowery, as well as injuring eight others. The fires caused by the explosion burned for two days, and many Victorian's were left without gas for 19 days.
The three gas plants at Longford supplied 98 percent of Victoria's gas needs. All three plants were shut down after the incident. On 2 October, gas production resumed at the two undamaged plants. The damaged plant reopened in mid-1999.
A Royal Commission was convened to investigate the causes of the incident and the failure of the gas supply.
The incident significantly impacted on planning for future broad-scale emergencies in Victoria, with particular focus on the need for greater inter-agency coordination and a whole of government approach to emergency management.
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