Drama around Lakeside!!!!!!

Well this has been an eventful day but why let me tell you when you have the news let you know all about it!

http://www.theage.com.au/national/hundreds-evacuated-after-chemical-spill-20081212-6x65.html


Hundreds evacuated after chemical spill

* Mex Cooper
* December 12, 2008 - 3:58PM

Five hundred people were evacuated and almost 20 treated by paramedics after a chemical spill in Melbourne's north today closed two schools, factories and emptied nearby homes.

Four students from Lakeside Secondary College, 12 workers from the Visy Board factory, an elderly male resident and two truck drivers were taken to hospital after a gas leak at the Visy site in Plateau Street, Reservoir, about 9.30am.

All were in a stable condition after suffering breathing difficulties.

Lakeside College, Fawkner Primary School, the factory and homes were evacuated as 45 firefighters dealt with the leak.

Thirty people were assessed by paramedics at the scene.

Metropolitan Fire Brigade Commander Glenn Brown said a delivery tanker had pumped the wrong chemical into a holding tank, setting off a chemical reaction at the paper factory.

He said 2500 litres of sodium hyperchloride, a bleaching product, had been mixed with aluminium chlorate, causing gas to leak from the tank.

Mr Brown said police had evacuated the area 1.5 kilometres downwind and 400 metres upwind of the factory, and 35 officers cordoned off the area's perimeter.

Intensive care paramedic Lindsay Bent said paramedics arrived to find a number of people suffering breathing problems and irritation. A police spokeswoman said hundreds of people had been asked to leave the area.

Mr Brown said the chemical reaction had stopped after the tank was flooded with water and a neutralising agent.

The site was deemed safe just after 2.30pm. WorkSafe investigators are at the scene.

Also here is the Channel 9 news report where yours truly is shown in one of his more weaker states check it here!

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/video.aspx?videoid=94b60c38-c8d3-4bfa-bd90-7354fa470a1e&tab=1

news.com.au

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,24789435-2862,00.html



AAP

December 12, 2008 11:46am

SCHOOL students in Melbourne's north were evacuated and people were treated for breathing problems after a factory chemical leak today.
A Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) spokesman said crews were called to the Visy paper factory in Reservoir, about 9.40am, after a report of a delivery truck leaking sodium hypochlorite, believed to be a bleaching product.

Students and staff at the Lakeside Secondary College, opposite the factory, were evacuated and some students complained of headaches, the MBF spokesman said.

Twelve factory workers suffered breathing problems and were treated at the scene by paramedics, a Metropolitan Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.

She said they were in a stable condition and was not aware if anyone had been taken to hospital.