University of Sydney chemical explosion injures three, staff member hospitalised

Three people have been transported to hospital following a chemical explosion at the University of Sydney on Tuesday morning.

Crews responding to a chemical explosion in Sydney.

Three people have been transported to hospital following a chemical explosion at the University of Sydney late on Tuesday morning.

One of the transported is suffering with burns to his hands, while two contractors nearby were treated for fume inhalation as a precaution.

NSW Fire and Rescue confirmed a university employee and two bystanders were affected by acid-based chemicals as they were getting ready to be disposed of.

A staff member carrying a bucket of acid experienced a reaction that led to the explosion just after 11am.

Sydney University is urging anyone who was around the vicinity of the Sports and Aquatic centre, and is expirecing symptoms of itchiness or irritation to the respiratory tract to seek medical treatment.

The University of Sydney’s campus services building was evacuated following the explosion.

In a letter put out to the community the university confirmed “there is no ongoing safety or security risk” to the community.

NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry said the two different products sparked the reaction.

“There was a chemical reaction between two products on the site,” he said.

“Everyone is stable and OK.”

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Originally published as University of Sydney chemical explosion injures three, staff member hospitalised