Four people have been taken to hospital after a chemical leak closed down part of a Melbourne shopping centre on Monday.
Shoppers were evacuated from parts of Pacific Werribee shopping centre in Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne’s west, shortly before midday.
A woman in her 20s and three men in their 40s, 50s and 60s were taken to Werribee Hospital in a stable condition.
The incident is believed to have originated in a dry cleaning store in which a leak sparked a chemical reaction.
A caller dialled triple-0 shortly before midday to report a strong smell.
Fire crews donned hazmat suits to enter the dry cleaning store and contain the leak.
“Firefighters arrived on scene within five minutes to find a chemical leak had occurred, causing a reaction,” a Fire and Rescue Victoria spokesperson said.
“Wearing breathing apparatus and hazmat equipment, firefighters worked to contain the leak and will remain on scene to safely ventilate the premises.”
More than 16 firefighters responded to the incident, working alongside police to evacuate shoppers as a precaution.
“It was kind of crazy to watch,” one man who waxjmtzywtched from an adjacent building told the Herald Sun.
“The girls inside rushed out and were coughing. Now the road’s closed and there’s a lot going on.”
According to Pacific Werribee security, the incident was contained before 4pm and the centre returned to normal.
