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Queensland truck crash: police evacuate 5km exclusion zone after explosive chemical spill Queensland truck crash: police evacuate 5km exclusion zone after explosive chemical spill
(about 3 hours later)
Ammonium nitrate found leaking on to road at Bloomsbury, causing evacuations and closure of Bruce Highway in both directionsAmmonium nitrate found leaking on to road at Bloomsbury, causing evacuations and closure of Bruce Highway in both directions
Homes have been evacuated and a 5km exclusion zone set up after the rollover of a truck carrying explosive chemicals in Queensland. There’s no timeline for when residents will be allowed to return home following the rollover of a truck carrying explosive chemicals in Queensland.
The Bruce Highway has been blocked in both directions at Bloomsbury, north of Mackay in Queensland, after the spillage of ammonium nitrate, a common fertiliser that can also explode in the wrong conditions.The Bruce Highway has been blocked in both directions at Bloomsbury, north of Mackay in Queensland, after the spillage of ammonium nitrate, a common fertiliser that can also explode in the wrong conditions.
A spokesperson for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) confirmed an explosion was their number one concern. Police set up a 5km exclusion zone around the area, and ordered homeowners to leave.
A spokesperson for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said fire crews are waiting for cleanup workers to arrive, but there’s not yet a timeframe for when they will be finished.
The chemical spill is contained.
“It’s looking like it will be a protracted incident,” the spokesperson said.
Earlier, a QFES spokesperson said an explosion was their number one concern.
Firefighters were called to the scene about 11.30am to reports a truck had rolled over, the spokesperson said. They arrived to find the ammonium nitrate leaking on to the road.Firefighters were called to the scene about 11.30am to reports a truck had rolled over, the spokesperson said. They arrived to find the ammonium nitrate leaking on to the road.
Five QFES crews were initially dispatched, but two have since left. The spokesperson said crews were working on clearing up the spill. Five QFES crews were initially dispatched, but two have since left.
Queensland police made an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act and evacuated properties along Staffords Road, Campbells Road, Caping Road and O’Donnells Road.Queensland police made an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act and evacuated properties along Staffords Road, Campbells Road, Caping Road and O’Donnells Road.
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Motorists have been urged to avoid the area or expect significant delays.Motorists have been urged to avoid the area or expect significant delays.
A spokesperson for the Queensland ambulance service said the male truck driver was not seriously injured in the crash.A spokesperson for the Queensland ambulance service said the male truck driver was not seriously injured in the crash.
In 2014, the explosion of a truck laden with ammonium nitrate south of Charleville in western Queensland blew a major road in half, wrecked a rail bridge and destroyed multiple vehicles.In 2014, the explosion of a truck laden with ammonium nitrate south of Charleville in western Queensland blew a major road in half, wrecked a rail bridge and destroyed multiple vehicles.
The size of the explosion was estimated to be the equivalent of 10-15 tonnes of TNT.The size of the explosion was estimated to be the equivalent of 10-15 tonnes of TNT.
Eight people were injured in the explosion.Eight people were injured in the explosion.