Sulfur Warehouse in Australia Burns, Toxic Smoke Makes Emergency Evacuation Officers

JAKARTA - A major fire hit a sulfur storage warehouse in Port Adelaide, South Australia, Thursday, triggering an emergency evacuation after thick toxic smoke spread to the surrounding area.

The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) via a post on its official Facebook account stated that the fire occurred shortly before 10.15 local time at a large industrial warehouse storing sulfur on Moonta Road.

Local authorities established an evacuation zone one kilometer from the scene and warned residents and businesses to leave the area immediately due to the danger of toxic smoke. The evacuation zone was then expanded.

Residents who are around the location are also urged to stay indoors, close all doors and windows, and turn off air conditioning systems that take air from outside.

According to local authorities quoted by Adelaide Now, a worker was successfully evacuated from inside the warehouse by firefighters. The worker is currently undergoing medical treatment.

To put out the fire, MFS deployed 15 fire brigades supported by a team of hazardous materials specialists, air extinguishing vehicles, and a number of incident handling commanders.

Smoke from the fires is moving south and southeast, so authorities continue to issue health warnings to the public.

Meanwhile, the South Australian Police closed Ocean Steamers Road in both directions and urged motorists to avoid the area while emergency operations were still underway.

Until now, the cause of the fire is still unknown and emergency services are still at the location to continue the extinguishing efforts.