WA: Evacuations as toxic fumes spew from chemicals fire

AAP General News (Australia)
02-16-2001
WA: Evacuations as toxic fumes spew from chemicals fire

PERTH, Feb 16 AAP - Fifty people were evacuated from three Perth suburbs overnight
as toxic fumes spewed from a huge fire which destroyed a chemical-waste factory and burnt
several hectares of grassland.

One hundred firefighters and State Emergency Service crews fought the blaze, which
was compounded by about 50 large drums "shooting into the air" and landing in grass nearby,
fire authorities said.

The factory was used for recycling hazardous toxic waste, and more than 500,000 litres
of different chemicals had been housed there.

"They were very, very, highly flammable chemicals, very nasty chemicals, cleaning fluids
and the like," said Fire and Emergency Services Authority operations controller Kevin
Gray.

The fire broke out at the factory, in east suburban Bellevue, about 11pm (WST), forcing
the evacuation of about 50 people from three suburbs.

The fire was under control but firefighters would be at the scene all day as they continue
to monitor the blaze and clean up the area - and their equipment, he said.

"Everything is contaminated - our uniforms, boots," Mr Gray said.

"It was a big event."

AAP sd/jas

KEYWORD: WASTE

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