KEY POINTS:
Six firefighters were discharged from hospital early today after inhaling chemical fumes at a south Auckland factory.
The incident reinforced the need for building owners and staff to pass on all available information to emergency services during a call-out, local deputy chief fire officer Mike McEnaney said.
He said firefighters headed to Pacific Lithium in Wiri about 9pm yesterday after a monitored fire alarm went off.
On arrival, they were met by a staff member, but not told that there were chemicals in the building.
He said the "unacceptable activity" of lithium being put in a a drain had caused fumes.
Before leaving, some of the firefighters complained a shortness of breath. Six of them were taken to hospital for observation but were released about 1.30am.
"The big thing is to make sure that building owners and staff pass on all information to emergency services on arrival so they can be fully aware of what they are likely to be dealing with," Mr McEnaney said.
"This was the not the case in this particular incident. Fortunately, we've got procedures that can overcome that, but there is a responsibility on people to sure the Fire Service is fully aware of what has occurred."
- NZPA
