Police tried to dig the boys free with their bare hands.

Fuel continues to be produced at a "pretty decent rate" at a Victorian oil refinery damaged in a blaze overnight, the facility's executive general manager says.

Firefighters spent 13 hours fighting the blaze at the Viva Oil Refinery in the Geelong suburb of Corio after equipment failure sparked the fire around 11pm.

Despite damage to the MOGAS unit of the refinery, Viva Energy oil refinery manager Bill Patterson said petrol, diesel and jet fuel continue to be produced, albeit at a "lower rate".

READ MORE: CFMEU to offer members on apprenticeships $100 fuel vouchers as war in Middle East drives up prices at the pump

"As a result of last night's incident we have taken some steps to make sure the rest of the refinery is running as safely as possible," Patterson said.

"Typically that doesn't mean stopping everything, it just means bringing the rates down.

"It's fair to say that we're still making petrol, diesel and jet fuel at a pretty decent rate. 

"It hasn't been a very large impact at this stage, but obviously as we work through the full implications of the events of last night we'll keep looking at that."

Petrol, diesel and jet fuel are made in units "quite separate" to the unit where the fire occurred, Patterson said.

"There's a specific couple of units that were impacted in the events of last night, they relate to a part of the refinery that combines LPG to make gasoline-type molecules.

"That's what's been damaged by the events of last night, but obviously we still have to look into the full extent of the damage as we get better access to the scene."

Aviation gasoline the 'primary impact', energy minister says 

Energy Minister Chris Bowen conceded the blaze posed a "setback" to the nation's already shaky fuel supply, but said the blaze had impacted a more niche type of fuel.

"It's not a positive development, it's not good timing, and this is a setback," he said.

"Viva has informed me the primary impact is on gasoline and aviation gasoline."

However, he clarified aviation gasoline was not the same as jet fuel, saying aviation gasoline was commonly used for small planes.

Bowen said around six million litres of aviation gasoline was used in Australia per month, and claimed the country had a 23 million litre stockpile.

He said Viva was adamant it will be able to replace any shortfalls in petrol production caused by the fire.

He said there would be "some" delay, but that he had received assurances from the company that it would not be a costly one."

"They will be able to replace the impacted petrol production with imports," he said.

Firefighters' efforts praised 

Fire Rescue Victoria's deputy commissioner has called efforts to extinguish the blaze at the Viva Energy oil refinery in Corio overnight as "pretty incredible".

"The fire was brought under control and extinguished within 13 hours, which is pretty incredible given the size of this refinery," Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) deputy commissioner Michelle Cowling said.

LIVE UPDATES: Refinery fire to have 'catastrophic' impact on Aussie fuel supply

"This has been an amazing effort by all crews involved."

FRV Incident Controller Anthony Pearce said Viva Refinery crews, who initially responded to the blaze, battled active explosions at the refinery last night.

"The crews from Viva firefighters in particular have done an amazing job.

"In the early stages of the fire it was very, very dangerous and there were explosions occurring.

"The work they've done to be able to isolate the fuel supply to the area affected has been amazing.

"That early intervention is what's made this fire be brought under control so quickly."

Earlier, the FRV said it appeared the fire had been caused by an equipment failure, and would be thoroughly investigated by FRV, WorkSafe, Victoria Police and Viva Refinery.

"Firefighters remain on scene and we continue to monitor the situation and work with Viva and partner agencies to ensure the safe operation of the site," an FRV spokesperson said

WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire would be begin once the site was safe.

"Right now, as Victoria's health and safety and dangerous goods regulator, WorkSafe's priority is supporting lead agencies to ensure that all work on the site is carried out safely and without risk to workers or the public," Jenkin said.

"We understand there is significant community concern about this incident and will continue to engage with our stakeholders during the ongoing response and recovery."

The refinery is a licensed major hazard facility, which means it is subject to stringent legal obligations and regular Worksafe inspections.

WorkSafe's comprehensive investigations can take more than 12 months to complete, the workplace hazard watchdog said.

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Calls for fuel strategy overhaul 

The Geelong plant is one of only two operating oil refineries in Australia, prompting calls to diversify the nation's fuel strategies.

"We are now seeing in real time how vulnerable Australia is to international as well as domestic interruptions to fuel supply," Professor Mark Brown from the University of the Sunshine Coast said.

"A biofuels industry could help Australia could buffer us from these vulnerabilities in future."

Brown said Australia currently had the capacity to produce between 400,000 and 500,000 litres a year of biofuel, but production was only at 30 per cent capacity.

"With no change in infrastructure or fuel rules this capacity could be scaled up quite quickly and be added to fuel supply as blend," he said.

"While large-scale biofuel production can't be switched on overnight, biofuels can provide Australia with future sovereign fuel capability and reduce potential exposure to global shocks, particularly for aviation, shipping and heavy industry, where alternatives like batteries are decades away."

'Explosions' before fire took hold

Fifty firefighters battled the blaze at the Viva oil refinery in Geelong, which was reported at 11.05pm yesterday following reports of explosions and flames.

The incident happened as the nation faces a fuel crisis, and the federal government is warning the fire will have an impact on national supplies.

Fire Rescue Victoria Assistant Chief Fire Officer Michael McGuinness said the fire began in the MOGAS section of the complex, where motor gasoline was produced.

"There's been some sort of leak, there's hydrocarbons, flammable liquids which very readily caught fire," he said.

"It was burning in an area of approximately 30 metres by 30 metres. There have been several small explosions."

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FRV believes the fire was unintentionally lit, and started from a gas leak that triggered smaller fires and several explosions.

"We just have not been able to conduct any investigations at this stage … The workers indicated that a leak was detected, then very quickly that increased in size, and an explosion occurred, and a rapid fire occurred," McGuinness said.

FRV specialist hazardous materials teams conducted atmospheric testing, but did not identify any contaminants in the atmosphere or water run-off from firefighting operations.

The refinery in the industrial suburb of Corio produces 120,000 barrels every day, and supplies about 50 per cent of Victoria's oil and 10 per cent of Australia's supplies.

An earlier watch and act message for areas south of the Corio Refinery has been lifted.

Six domestic oil refineries have closed in the last 20 years, leaving only the Ampol Lytton refinery in Brisbane and Viva Energy's Geelong facility operational and meaning Australia imports 90 per cent of its liquid fuel needs.

READ MORE: What Aussie deal with tiny nation actually means

The Geelong facility is the country's sole producer of aviation fuel.

Australian Workers Union official Ross Kenna told 9News there was likely to be "diminished" output at the refinery due to the fire.

He says the blaze started at the MOGAS unit overnight, a critical part of the plant where motor fuel is refined.

"I imagine there will be a capacity loss."

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Charlie Watson had a plan to leave the abusive relationship but feared it could end badly.

The Finance Minister has meetings with top US officials, plus IMF and World Bank talks.

Locals say feral cattle have roamed onto Whangārei Heads Rd for more than a decade.

Reef Connor Gurnick, 15, was one of two people killed in the crash.

Following a social media firestorm, the council voted to confirm Māori representatives.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles has hinted that the world could be on the "foothills" of a new nuclear arms race, revealing this is why the Australian government has expanded its military funding.

Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra, Marles said the Cold War era of strict nuclear arms control expired this year and the "global rules-based order" nations once operated under has been torn up.

"The Cold War era of nuclear arms control – put in place to limit the risk of catastrophic nuclear confrontation – ended this year with the expiry of the last remaining agreement limiting the number of strategic nuclear warheads deployed by Russia and the United States – the countries with the two largest stockpiles," Marles said.

READ MORE: Fuel prices to hike again after Geelong oil refinery fire slashes output

"All nuclear weapon states are growing their arsenals once more, with the biggest growth occurring in China.

"Absent new arms control efforts, we may be at the foothills of a new nuclear arms race.

"This struggle is not abstract. It will drive elevated risks to Australia's security and prosperity over the coming decade."

The defence minister said the looming nuclear threat is why Australia has invested heavily in its long-term military capability.

Marles described Australia's $53 billion defence plan as one that strengthens "self-reliance" into the next decade.

He said military spending under Labor has increased by up to $30 billion over the forward estimates.

This is an extra $117 billion over the next 10 years, Marles added.

"To place this in context, the former Coalition government, which governed during a period when all the trends we are wrestling with today were just as present then, increased defence spending by just $10 billion over the decade," he said.

READ MORE: As war chaos deepens, one nation is playing a unique role

Among the major defence investments made by the government recently has been the acquisition of nuclear submarines.

Marles said "major progress" had been made on the AUKUS agreement.

"The government has undertaken the most ambitious modernisation of Australia's maritime capability since the Second World War," he said.

But fortifying Australia's military in the name of self-reliance "should not be confused with military self‑sufficiency", Marles said, adding that Australia's relationship with allies including the US remains important.

"Alliances, especially with the United States, will always be fundamental to Australia's defence," he said.

READ MORE: Thousands of union tradies to be offered $100 fuel vouchers

Australia will do 'all within our power' to bring peace

In his opening remarks, Marles insisted Australia was doing everything it could to bring lasting peace to the Middle East.

"The current ceasefire in the Middle East is an opportunity to move back from the brink," he said.

"Open the Strait of Hormuz, restore the global fuel supply chain, and place events on a path to peace.

"For our part, Australia will do all within our power to help make this temporary ceasefire permanent."

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A fire has ripped through one of Australia's two critical oil refineries, stoking fears that a fresh supply shortage will grip motorists and drive up prices at the pump once again.

The Viva Energy oil refinery in Geelong, Victoria suffered damage in an explosive fire which began about 11pm yesterday, with production output expected to be slashed to "minimum rates" following the blaze.

When at full capacity, the refinery can produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day, including petrol, diesel, LPG and jet fuel.

READ MORE: Thousands of union tradies to be offered $100 fuel vouchers

LIVE UPDATES: Energy minister admits worst possible outcome of refinery blaze

It supplies over 50 per cent of Victoria's and 10 per cent of Australia's fuel.

Experts have warned the incident will likely result in a supply chain and price shock in Victoria and beyond.

"Initially it's going to have an effect because there will be less supply, [we] should see a pickup in price," Senior Lecturer from the School of Economics at The University of Sydney Dr Luke Hartigan told Nine.com.au.

"It's not a positive thing to have that out of commission now."

"Under normal conditions usually these things do take time, but considering what's been happening it could happen right away."

The impact will be felt initially in Victoria, where Viva Energy supplies most of its fuel.

Fuel prices and shortages may also worsen as national output shrinks at the refinery, Hartigan said.

"If you think about what happened with the Strait of Hormuz, that is 20 per cent [of global oil supply], and you can see that effect around the world," Hartigan said.

"Even in a small part, when you've got restricted supply, it means it could have an effect."

READ MORE: As war chaos deepens, one nation is playing a unique role

Hartigan said the fire will likely "dull the benefits" of the federal government's efforts to ease supply and price pain, including the temporary excise reduction.

Swinburne's Professor of Transport Technology and Sustainability Hussein Dia said any positive progress made by the Victorian state government may be reversed, including the impacts of offering free public transport for the month of April.

"It's not just a shock to supply, but it is a loss of flexibility, and that's what's going to put upward pressure on prices, despite what the government has been doing," Dia said.

"This was unexpected, and the government has been trying to shield consumers by the cutting of the fuel excise, and in Victoria, we have the free public transport."

Dia said fuel prices in Victoria will likely grow, but said it might not be a "dramatic" spike at the pump tomorrow.

"The system was already under pressure and now it's operating with less buffer, and that will likely show up in prices over time," he added.

The flow-on effect of the Geelong fire could also touch the supermarket supply chain if Victorian farmers lose even more access to diesel.

"There's less access to food because if trucks can't get diesel, then they can't deliver food," Hartigan said.

"There's the worry that there's an impact on pricing… and that there is less supply of diesel now because that refinery is [partially] offline."

READ MORE: Australia signs key deal with Brunei amid fuel crisis, recession fears

Energy Minister Chris Bowen earlier said the blaze will worsen Australia's national fuel supply as the refinery slashes its production, describing it as "not a positive development".

"There will be an impact on production," Bowen told Today.

"At this point, production of jet fuel and diesel is continuing at the refinery at reduced levels for safety reasons as a precaution. At this point, the impact is mainly on petrol production."

Australia's only other operating oil refinery, the Ampol Lytton Refinery in Brisbane, may need to fill in the gaps left by Viva Energy's reduced output.

The Brisbane refinery also provides about 10 per cent of Australia's fuel.

The remainder is imported from overseas, including the Middle East and Singapore.

"It will be a delicate balance between trying to get it to work a bit longer but not trying to work it too hard," Hartigan added.

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The AI-generated image Donald Trump posted that depicted him as Jesus Christ was originally posted by a prominent Australian commentator.

A very similar image was posted nine weeks ago by Nick Adams, a former deputy mayor of Ashfield City Council in Sydney.

"America has been sick for a long time. President Trump is healing this nation," Adams wrote when posting the image to Instagram.

READ MORE: Proposed team of experts to decide if Trump is fit for office

He later deleted the post.

It is not known if Adams was responsible for generating the AI image.

There are slight differences between the two images. In Adams' post, one man in the background is wearing a hat that reads "Veteran".

In Trump's image, the wording on the hat is indecipherable.

In Adams' picture, it appears to be a group of soldiers hovering above the clouds. In Trump's, the figures are less clear and one appears to have horns and wings.

Another AI-generated image Adams posted in February also depicts Trump as Jesus Christ, blessing a man with his touch while surrounded by people in what appears to be New Testament-era clothing.

"President Trump is healing this nation and its people on a biblical scale," wrote Adams.

"The devil hates this!"

READ MORE: Trump learns the fate of $14 billion lawsuit over Epstein birthday letter

Since moving to the United States, Adams has become a prominent Trump backer and commentator.

Adams, born Nicholas Adamopoulos, was nominated by Trump to be America's ambassador to Malaysia.

But that nomination was later withdrawn and he was named Special Presidential Envoy for American Tourism, Exceptionalism, and Values, a role that was created for him.

Adams renounced his Australian citizenship in 2021.

Axios reported today that Trump's housing finance chief Bill Pulte was the person who brought the Jesus meme to the president's attention before he posted it.

Trump, who rarely backs down from criticism, made the rare move of deleting the post after copping flak from Christians across the world.

READ MORE: JD Vance criticises Pope Leo for not 'being careful speaking about theology'

But he rebuffed accusations he was likening himself to Jesus, instead claiming he thought he was being depicted as a doctor.

The post came as Trump lashed out at Pope Leo XIV after the pontiff espoused the importance of seeking peace.

"Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy," Trump wrote.

"I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon."

The president accused the pope of "catering to the radical left".

The pope had not criticised the president by name.

""I will not enter into debate. The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone," Pope Leo said.

"The message of the Gospel is very clear: 'Blessed are the peacemakers'."

READ MORE: Trump's Defence Secretary quotes fake Pulp Fiction Bible verse

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