NSW: Sixteen to Newcastle hospital after evacuation

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2010
NSW: Sixteen to Newcastle hospital after evacuation

SYDNEY, April 13 AAP - Sixteen people have been taken to a Newcastle hospital after
the detection of a chemical smell led to a six-storey building being evacuated.

Paramedics say the 16 patients had mild respiratory irritation and had been transported
to John Hunter Hospital.

About 250 people were evacuated on Tuesday morning from the building in Argyle Street,
Newcastle, after reports of the chemical smell.

NSW Fire Brigade superintendent Ian Krimmer said the smell was coming from a leak in
the air-conditioning unit.

"We believe we've identified the source of the odour - it's coming from an air conditioning
plant room," he said.

"They're in the process of flushing that unit out and then we'll see if that eliminates
the odour."

AAP lm/klm/pc

KEYWORD: CHEMICAL UPDATE

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