UPDATE, 9PM: Residents of Providence Nursing Home have been allowed to return home after being evacuated following the gas blasts early this afternoon.
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But the news isn’t as good for some other residents who are still locked out of their homes.
A CFA spokesman said it was likely many would spend the night in local motels as the area was still cordoned off as authorities try to find the cause of the explosion and ensure there is no further danger.
UPDATE, 7.15PM: More than five hours after initial reports of an explosion in Maddingley, Bacchus Marsh, residents are still unable to return to their homes.
Roads around Osborne and Griffith streets remain taped off and affected residents have been advised to go to the relief centre at The Lerderderg Library at 215 Main St, Bacchus Marsh.
More than 10 CFA crews remain on site to continue to investigate and monitor the conditions. Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria officers are also in attendance.
CFA scientific officers have also attended the scene.
UPDATE, 3.40PM: The CFA has released this message to the community.
“CFA crews have been called to a serious workplace incident in Maddingley, Bacchus Marsh.
CFA crews were called to Osborne St, Maddingley, just after 1.30pm, following reports of a small explosion.
It is believed an initial gas explosion triggered a second explosion on nearby Griffith Street.
11 CFA firetrucks are attending what is believed to be an underground gas pipe explosion.
Two people were injured, one seriously, as a result of the incident. There is also believed to be some property damaged.
Emergency services have blocked off the area and are assessing the need to evacuate a nearby nursing home as a precaution.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area.”
UPDATE, 2.50PM: Victoria Police has just released this information:
“Emergency services are currently in Maddingley following a workplace incident.
The circumstances are yet to be established but at this stage it is believed a gas pipe may have been ruptured about 1.30pm, causing a small explosion.
The incident has led to a secondary explosion on nearby Griffith Street. One man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries and another with minor injuries.
Police are currently evacuating the area as a precaution and street closures are in place.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area.
WorkSafe has been notified.”
A Relief Centre has been opened at the Lerderderg Library, 215 Main Street Bacchus Marsh, for those who have been evacuated from the area.
2.35PM: A teenager has been taken to hospital in a serious condition after an explosion in the Bacchus Marsh suburb of Maddingley.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said the teenage male presented himself to the Bacchus Marsh hospital just after 1.30pm following the explosion.
He was then rushed to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne by paramedics in a serious condition, suffering burns.
It is understood another patient is the Bacchus Marsh Hospital with lesser injuries.
Police are currently at the scene of the explosion and it is understood a number of houses have been evacuated.
Bacchus Marsh Secondary College, Bacchus Marsh Grammar and Providence Nursing Home are all being evacuated.
A number of roads around the Griffith Street/Osborne Street areas are blocked to traffic.
The nature of the explosion has not yet been identified.
There are 10 CFA units on scene, according to the Vic Emergency website.
More to come.
