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Posted: 2016-04-06 12:27:56

Residents in Victoria's north-west have been evacuated from their homes after a petrol tanker rolled on the Calder Highway.

Emergency services were called to the highway in Inglewood, near the intersection of Sullivan Street, at 7.45pm on Wednesday.

A CFA spokeswoman said power lines were down and fuel was leaking onto the road, which leads into the small town near Bendigo.

An emergency warning issued just before 10pm said residents should not go near the crash site and anyone near Heales Street should leave immediately and go to the Inglewood Senior Citizens club. 

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"Do not enter the area - it is extremely dangerous. Toxic and flammable fumes are being released in the area. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you choose to stay," the warning said. 

Inglewood residents are being advised to stay inside their homes with all windows and doors closed, and not use any power appliances.

There are currently 18 CFA crews at the scene, as well as police, SES and paramedics. Crews are working to contain the fuel leak.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said residents in houses near the crash had been evacuated because of fire risk.

Enzo Scafati, who owns the Empire State Hotel about 100 metres from the crash site, said the power had been out in Inglewood since 5pm.

"Thank god it was because the petrol tanker came round the corner and took out three poles and there's petrol all over the place," he said. "If the power was connected it would have taken out half town. It would have been a disaster." 

According to the Powercor website about 600 customers in the Inglewood area are without power. The outage is not expected to be fixed until 2.30am on Thursday.

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said the driver of the truck suffered minor injuries and was not taken to hospital.  

No other cars were involved and the cause of the crash is unknown at this stage.

The Calder Highway at Inglewood is closed in both directions.

The EPA is expected to attend the scene.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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