Updated: Evacuation zone as fire releases toxic fumes
Emergency services declared an evacuation zone as toxic fumes drifted across an Adelaide suburb yesterday, the fire now extinguished and the threat downgraded.
Emergency services have reduced the threat warning on Friday morning from a structure fire sending toxic fumes into nearby suburbs after it was extinguished on Thursday.
As of 8am, the advice to local residents was to open windows and doors to ventilate their home or business when air quality improves, saying this would “flush out any hazardous vapours” that could have entered the building.
A one kilometre evacuation zone was established at Port Adelaide on Thursday after a structure caught fire, with reports at least one worker on site was taken to hospital.
Fire crews responded to a shed fire with sulphur burning inside along Moonta Road just before 10.15am at the fertiliser plant.
Emergency services were warning anyone located within one kilometre of Moonta Road in Port Adelaide to leave immediately. The Thursday afternoon update said those located within the boundary of the Port River, Port River Expressway, Hanson Road and Club Road extending to the Port River were in the zone.
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Large volumes of smoke were produced from the fire that was burning sulphur and was considered toxic, with smoke travelling in a South to South East direction.
“Do not enter the area – it is extremely dangerous,” a Metropolitan Fire Service announcement said.
The blaze that was believed to be accidental was contained to the shed but heavy smoke continued to track in a southeast direction, it said shortly after 2pm local time.
Fire crews remained at the scene, where they worked to extinguish the fire and manage risks posed by the hazardous materials.
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Local resident Chris Baxter said he was alerted to the fire by his wife, who called him in a panic after hearing word of the evacuation order.
“She was scared, she was panicked,” he told ABC radio.
“The warning was to grab your medication and your dogs, or your pets, and go.”
Tim Whitrow, who witnessed the blaze from his office, told the radio station that smoke appeared to be coming from the site in thick, white plumes.
Those unable to leave the area were advised to close their windows and doors, and be cautious of smoke.
Emergency services are on the scene.
– with AAP
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