People near a hazardous spill can go outside again as the clean-up continues.
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The CFA has declared that the THREAT IS REDUCED and people can go about their normal activities again.
We are yet to get word back about whether the highway is reopened.
People in Hazmat suits have spent parts of the day investigating and containing a chemical spill after a truck and car crashed.
Some more information from the CFA about the current situation:
What you should do:
- Open windows and doors to ventilate your home or business.
- Ventilating your home, business or workplace flushes out any hazardous
- vapours that have entered the building.
Impacts in your area:
- Contractors may remain in the area to clean up the spill.
Police will investigate what caused this morning's chemical spill on the Pyrenees Highway.
The incident occurred at Taylor St in Castlemaine when a truck carrying a mixed load of chemicals and a privately-owned car collided.
Fire Rescue Victoria and the EPA are on the scene.
THE CHEMICAL SPILL: HERE'S WHERE WE ARE AT
Paramedics remain on scene to monitor monitor health as the emergency incident continues in Castlemaine.
The CFA says the spill has now been contained but the advice to people in the area remains to stay indoors.
It plans to give an update at around 3.30pm.
The Pyrenees Highway is closed between McGrath Street and Dick Street.
PARAMEDICS ASSESS ONE PERSON
Paramedics have assessed one person at the scene of the chemical spill that has closed a street in Castlemaine.
Ambulance Victoria is yet to confirm more details.
A crew was called to the scene at about 9.30am.
They joined CFA brigade members and police.
WHAT WE ARE SEEING AT THE SCENE
Georgina Sebar is at the scene and reporting people in HAZMAT suits are at the crashed truck.
We understand they are trying to put a type of putty on a hole where the chemical is leaking from.
There are multiple chemicals on the truck.
The container that is leaking is understood to be ferric acid, which is used in sewage treatment.
The car linked to the collision has now been taken away.
Road closures are expected for the next few hours as emergency crews go about their work.
HERE IS THE CURRENT WARNING AREA
This is what the CFA is telling us is the new STAY INDOORS warning, which replaces the STAY INFORMED advice.
BREAKING: RESIDENTS TOLD TO STAY INDOORS
There has just been a change to advice to the public.
People are now being told to stay indoors, not just to stay informed.
"Anyone located 200 metres around the Pyrenees Highway and Taylor Street in Castlemaine should move indoors," the CFA says.
Here's some more information:
What you should do:
- Bring your pets inside.
- If you are located within the warning area, immediately move inside your home or the nearest building. People who shelter indoors are much safer than those people who remain outside.
- Close all windows and doors.
- Turn off heating and cooling systems.
- Close all vents and fireplace flues.
- If you are driving, close the windows of your vehicle and turn off air conditioning.
Impacts in your area:
- The following road is closed: Pyrenees Hwy between McGrath St and Dick St.
MORE DETAILS ON WHO SHOULD STAY INFORMED
Here is a map of the area where people should stay informed, the CFA says.
It encompasses the spill-site on Duke Street and stretches from the Railway Avenue intersection to Farren Street.
People as far north as Littleton Street and south to the end of Ross Drive should also keep a close eye on conditions.
STAY INFORMED, RESIDENTS TOLD
Castlemaine residents are being told to "stay informed" after a 200 litre chemical spill.
"There is currently no threat to the community, but you should continue to stay informed and monitor conditions," the CFA said in advice released moments ago.
Here is some more advice:
What you should do:
- Please avoid the area.
- If you are within 200m from this area please remain indoors and close all windows and doors.
- If working outdoors, move indoors until further advice is given.
- Protect your health:
- If you are experiencing any medical symptoms please contact 000.
Impacts in your area:
- Emergency services will remain in the area as they clean up the spill.
- Pyrenees Highway between McGrath and Dick Streets are currently closed - for more information please see VicTraffic.
CHLORIDE SOLUTION LEAKED
A CFA spokesperson has said two Castlemaine CFA units alongside FRV responded to a hazmat incident on Pyrenees Highway in Castlemaine at around 7.26am.
Crews discovered 200LT of chloride solution leaked onto the road as a result of a vehicle incident.
Crews worked to contain the spill to the immediate area with EPA and the local council.
Protection was put in place for residents.
Victoria Police were on scene for traffic control. Ambulance Victoria were called to the scene.
Incident is ongoing.
