‘Small explosion’ — five taken to hospital
FIVE people were taken to hospital following a ‘‘sulphur flash’’ at the Ravensdown plant in Dunedin yesterday.
It happened when a piece of old equipment was being removed from a store at its Ravensbourne site.
While it was too early to say what caused the incident, it appeared residual dust had ignited during the removal of a decadesold hopper in a rock store, Ravensdown communications manager Gareth Richards said.
‘‘This did not cause flames or a loud noise, but did cause a small cloud of dust and elevated sulphur dioxide in the affected building,’’ he said.
A visiting contractor was taken to Dunedin Hospital for assessment after the incident, while four others, a contractor and three Ravensdown staff, were taken to hospital as a precaution.
‘‘All are in good spirits and their wellbeing is foremost in our thoughts.’’
Four of the people were discharged from hospital and a few hours later, the fifth person was discharged ‘‘feeling a whole lot better’’, Mr Richards said.
He thanked emergency services for responding to the incident quickly and praised the professional response of Ravensdown staff on site.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said crews from Roslyn and Willowbank arrived at 10am.
The incident was reported as a medical incident, but shortly after that changed to a possible explosion.
There was no fire when crews arrived.
‘‘There was a small explosion,’’ he said.
Five people had been taken to hospital due to the inhalation of sulphur dioxide, he said.
‘‘The scene has been left with management from Ravensdown and WorkSafe.’’
A St John spokesman said it was alerted at 9.47am and two ambulances and a manager were sent to the scene.