Health fears linger after toxic blaze

Residents living opposite the remains of a Hastings oil and cleaning supplies warehouse destroyed in a fire last Saturday are still concerned about long-term health effects.

Twenty-six-year-old Rachel Fredsberg lives across the road from the site of VJ Distributors Ltd, with her seven-year-old son Dallas and retired father, Peter.

She said: "We've still got a strong smell of oil around us at the moment.

"It's overpowering.

"We have all got sore throats, and my dad has been drinking a lot of water, which isn't normal for him.

"There's been a lot of digging going on over there which has made the smell stronger. I'm worried that when the demolition starts it's going to get worse."

Rachel, who is an applied social science student, confirmed that the family had received medical information about possible health effects, which was distributed to people living in the affected area last Saturday.

But she said none of her family decided to get medical attention.

She added that some of her neighbours had similar concerns.

That is despite the reassurance from the Hawke's Bay District Health Board's public health unit, which gave the all-clear to people living close to the blaze, following further analysis of the chemicals - which were manufactured cleaning products as opposed to raw chemicals.

Investigators confirmed the chemicals burning in last week's toxic cloud over Hastings included low alkaline water-soluble solvent cleaners such as Spray and Wipe, surface cleaning products like Lemon Dish Wash, disinfectants and some alcohol-based product, as well as washing powders.

Medical officer of health Caroline McElnay reassured residents that smoke inhalation and fumes from the fire could cause sore eyes and sore throats, but these symptoms would be short-lived. Dr McElnay advised people to seek medical advice if symptoms persisted.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY