University of Sydney chemical explosion injures three, staff member hospitalised

NSW Fire and Rescue have secured the chemicals that caused an explosion at Sydney University on Tuesday morning.

Crews responding to a chemical explosion in Sydney.

NSW Fire and Rescue have secured the chemicals that caused an explosion at Sydney University on Tuesday morning.

The chemicals cause minor elevated radiation leaves and a reaction outside of the Sport Aquatic Centre on campus.

The chemicals have now been handed back to the institution for disposal.

The explosion lead to three people being transported to hospital 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.

SafeWork NSW told The Daily Telegraph a further two people have been injured, rounding up Tuesdays tally to five casualties

SafeWork will be investigating the incident.

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 experiencing 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