Four patients treated after chemical incident at Ecowize in Montague Gardens
Hazmat technicians arrived on scene for a visual inspection to verify any thermal signatures and chemical reactions. They are wearing fully encapsulated suits in order to work in the prevailing conditions.
Image: City of Cape Town
Four patients have been treated - one of whom has been transported to a nearby medical facility for further care - following a chemical incident at Ecowize in Montague Gardens.
Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services responded to calls of smoke emanating from Ecowize at around 3:30pm on Monday, spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse said.
“The first responding officer immediately recognised that this is a chemical incident.
A cloud of what looked like smoke, laced with chemical fumes, hung over Montague Gardens on Monday
Image: SUPPLIED
“Apart from evacuating the building, an isolation area was established as well as a 300 metre containment area,” Carelse said.
Hazmat technicians had arrived on scene and would do a visual inspection to verify any thermal signatures and chemical reactions.
By Monday evening, Carelse said the hazmat technicians completed their assessment.
"The temperature of the container at the centre of today’s reaction has started stabilising. As it cools down, the chemical reaction will stop.
"The vapor cloud that hung over the area has dissipated, and the area deemed safe. The building has been ventilated and handed over to the owners.
"The scene was handed over the owners," Carelse said.
Earlier, Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said according to latest information, the chemical incident was linked to operations on the premises, and not a fire.
Cape Times