CFA firefighters from Learmonth and Miners Rest in hospital after chemical spill in garbage truck

Three firefighters and a truck driver are in hospital after breathing in a dangerous gas from a chemical spill near Ballarat.

Three firefighters and a garbage truck driver were in hospital on Thursday after breathing in fumes from a chemical spill at Learmonth.

CFA firefighters were called to Weatherboard Rd northwest of Learmonth Lake just after 8am on Thursday after reports of a garbage truck fire.

It later became clear there had been an unknown chemical spill inside the truck.

It is thought a drum of the chemical was thrown out in a domestic rubbish collection, and burst inside the truck, where it reacted with water from overnight rain and let off a dangerous gas.

Three CFA firefighters and the truck driver were in hospital on Thursday.

The chemical spill was under control shortly after 1pm, but a crew was still at the site into the evening.

A CFA spokeswoman said two fire trucks and volunteer firefighters from Learmonth and Miners Rest responded to the call-out, along with a Fire Rescue Victoria crew.

“Upon arrival, it was determined that it was a hazardous gas, not smoke, that was emanating from the rubbish truck,” the spokeswoman said.

“No injuries were reported but the truck driver and three CFA firefighters have been taken to hospital as a precautionary measure for observations after potentially being exposed to the gas.

“Firefighters from Fire Rescue Victoria helped undertake the Hazmat clean-up.”