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Bright Minds childcare centre in Waterside, Cranebrook shut by ‘strange smell’

A Cranebrook childcare centre was evacuated due to a suspected gas leak on Friday morning, which left some nauseous and lightheaded while one worker was taken to hospital.

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Eighty children and staff were evacuated from a Cranebrook childcare centre on Friday morning after a “strange smell” which led to one worker being hospitalised.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews were called to Bright Minds Academy Childcare Centre in Waterside just after 10am in response to complaints about an obnoxious odour, which had left some workers feeling nauseous and others light-headed.

Bright Minds Academy Childcare centre in Waterside Cranebrook was evacuated over a suspected gas leak. Picture: Ben Talintyre
Bright Minds Academy Childcare centre in Waterside Cranebrook was evacuated over a suspected gas leak. Picture: Ben Talintyre

A FRNSW spokesman said once on scene, firefighters quickly rendered the centre safe with staff and children able to return inside.

The spokesman said the smell was suspected to have been due to a gas leak from a faulty air conditioning unit, however the cause remained under investigation.

NSW Ambulance paramedics also attended, and treated four teachers on scene for nausea and dizziness before transporting one female worker to hospital for further examination.

A Bright Minds Academy Childcare Centre spokeswoman did not believe there had been a gas leak, and said staff were still trying to work out what the odour was.

“There was no gas leak at all as we don’t have any gas on the premises,” she said.

“There was a strange smell and we are still looking into what it is.

“We asked parents to collect their children as a precaution and the facility was shut for the rest of the day.”

FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said the incident served as a reminder that calling Triple Zero in an emergency could be the difference between life and death, or a building or other property being saved or destroyed.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/bright-minds-childcare-centre-in-waterside-cranebrook-shut-by-strange-smell/news-story/ad47bee2a50df2b61bdcd54cecbd3180