Three hospitalised as Truganina shipping facility evacuated over chemical spill

Three people have been hospitalised after a drum containing a highly flammable chemical leaked in Melbourne’s west.

Three workers at a shipping logistics facility in Melbourne’s west were hospitalised on Wednesday after a chemical spill forced the evacuation of the building.

Emergency services rushed to the scene on Ninton Drive in Trugarina at 8.20am, after a triple-0 call was received reporting a “strong vapour” in the area.

About 40 workers were evacuated from the premises, with three taken to hospital in a stable condition and others treated at the scene by paramedics for exposure.

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesman said about 20 firefighters, including specialist hazmat crews, and 14 appliances responded to the spill.

“Firefighters arrived on scene to find that a 200-litre drum containing pyridine had been pierced while being unloaded by a forklift,” he said.

The pyridine, a highly flammable solvent used to make many different products including medicines, paints and rubber products, had “significantly leaked” within a shipping container.

“Wearing splash suits, Fire Rescue Victoria’s specialist hazmat crews moved the drum to a recovery drum, to contain it,” the spokesman said.

Firefighters then worked together to absorb the spilt product. The complex operation was brought under control shortly before 2.55pm.