Dozens of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters are working to control a chemical fire at an industrial site at Port Kembla, in the state's Illawarra.
Six cylinders containing the highly flammable gas, acetylene, caught alight at the Springhill Road facility just after 10:30 am. The cylinders have been generating significant heat, with their exposure to flames posing a risk of an explosion.
Evacuation
Fifty workers at the site have been evacuated, as a precaution. FRNSW has deployed more than 40 firefighters and 11 fire trucks, including specialist hazardous materials (HAZMAT) crews, which are working with on-site experts.
Fire crews have been working to protect a nearby building by applying water to the impacted cylinders and keeping surrounding areas cool. The blaze will continue to burn until the gas supply is consumed by fire.
At this stage, three of the cylinders have burnt out, while three remain alight. FRNSW has been advised that a worker sustained minor burns and drove himself to hospital prior to the arrival of emergency services.
