Residents organise after chlorine fire

A December 22 warehouse fire in a shared residential and industrial zone on the outskirts of the western Melbourne suburb of Tottenham has caused local residents to demand information and better emergency response procedures after a cloud of chlorine gas covered a substantial part of the suburb.

The West Point Distribution Centre warehouse did not have an appropriate chemical or fire alarm fitted like the other chemical plants in the area, so the alarm was raised by a neighbouring factory.

During the emergency much of the suburb was closed off by police and declared an "exclusion" zone but the decision was made by the emergency services that residents did not need to be evacuated. The chlorine gas caused skin and throat irritation for many residents, including babies and the elderly.

Ambulances were reported as not being allowed into the area as paramedics did not have protective suits. Residents were not provided with adequate information as to what was happening, how toxic the gas cloud was, or what adequate precautions they could take.

Over the last few weeks, local residents have joined together to form the Tottenham Residents Group to put pressure on the local and state governments to improve communications in the case of an emergency. There are a number of chemical plants in the area.

The group also wants reconsideration of the appropriateness of having a chemical storage area so close to housing, and to see what safeguards should have been in place.

Several public meetings have already been held, including a meeting of 50 people with local Mayor Michelle McDonald. In response to residents concerns the local council has advised that a public meeting will be held on February 7.

From GLW issue 737