Canberra schools shut down

BY CHRISTOPHER KNAUS AND EWA KRETOWICZ
16 Sep, 2011 08:03 AM

North Canberra residents were woken by a series of huge explosions and fireballs from a factory fire in Mitchell early this morning, as emergency services raised fears over the spread of toxic smoke plumes across the area.

Emergency Services have now confirmed that the smoke is dissipating, and the exclusion zone has been reduced back to just the suburb of Mitchell.

However all government schools on the northside of Canberra, including Belconnen, Gungahlin and the Inner North, will be closed.

Residents of Franklin, Crace, Harrison, Watson, Downer, Kaleen, Lyneham and Hackett had earlier been warned to stay indoors, close doors and windows and not use air conditioners or heaters.

About 100 people have been evacuated to Dickson College.

The most recent atmospheric tests have confirmed no positive readings for the toxic Phosgene.

Video taken by Kresimir Rogic and uploaded to YouTube. Be aware of some bad language.

All government schools in the north of Canberra have been closed for the day.

A spokesman for Education Minister Andrew Barr said the ACT Government would be unable to provide the usual supervision services at closed schools within the exclusion zone.

Buses are now resuming normal services.

There are no apparent flight delays from Canberra Airport.

Authorities earlier determined that a small amount of PCB at the site could cause phosgene in the smoke.

“Phosgene is known to cause irritation to skin and eyes, sore throat, nausea, headaches and dizziness, vomiting, chest pain and difficulty breathing,” a spokesman said.