Australian fire fighters on Friday are battling a massive chemical fire at an industrial estate in Canberra, ordering mass evacuations over fears that toxic smoke plumes from the fire, as Xinhua reported. The fire broke out in Energy Services International, a chemical factory, at Dacre Street in the suburb of Mitchell in the city's north at about midnight. The fire lit up the suburb with flames leaping hundreds of meters in the air. A column of smoke was billowing toxic fumes up more than 800m in the air. There are reports that there were about 400,000L of toxic chemicals in the building. However, authorities said all chemicals had been contained at the site and no material had leaked into the storm water system. Australia Capital Territory State Emergency Services Commissioner Mark Crossweller warned there could be further explosions inside the factory as firefighters battled to contain the blaze.
