Three hundred students were evacuated at Blaxland High School on Monday morning after a chemical spill in the science lab store room.
The powder calcium carbide spilled in the store room after the container it was held in broke, the Blue Mountains Duty Commander of Fire and Rescue NSW, Acting Inspector Bruce Cameron, said.
Acting Insp Cameron said the chemical was “highly explosive if it comes in contact with water. Luckily there was no moisture in the air.”
The students were evacuated as a precaution, with police and firefighters attending, including the hazardous materials team from St Mary’s Fire and Rescue NSW. No-one was injured.
Mobile again
A Hazelbrook woman confined to her wheelchair will soon have her independence back, thanks to the generosity of the community.
As reported in the Gazette last week, Rebecca Cameron’s special acceleration system was stolen from her car and she’d been unable to afford the $8000 to replace it.
But thanks to generous donations from the community and a radio station, Ms Cameron will be mobile again.
“All of this has restored my faith in humanity and I am forever grateful to everyone who has donated and been involved with getting me over the line,” she said.
Multiple pile-up
A pregnant woman was taken to hospital for observation and assessment after a five-car pile-up on the highway at Springwood about 12.30pm on Saturday.
An Ambulance NSW spokesman said four people were assessed on scene, with the woman and another patient taken to Nepean Hospital.
Centre evacuated
The Springwood Aquatic and Fitness Centre was evacuated about 5.30pm on February 12 after a bag was left unattended in the reception area. Blue Mountains Police were called to investigate, and the centre reopened after the contents of the bag was not considered a threat and the owner returned.
Drugs charges
A second person has been charged with supplying drugs in the Blue Mountains, after charges were laid against a Hazelbrook man on February 4.
A 30-year-old Lawson woman was charged on February 13 with perverting the course of justice, participating in a criminal group, and taking part in the supply of prohibited drugs.
The woman is expected to face further charges and police said more arrests are imminent. Both people are part of the same criminal group.
