Chemical spill prompts evacuation at St Cuthbert’s College in Auckland

St Cuthbert’s College in Auckland has been evacuated due to a chemical spill that came into contact with a teacher and left students impacted by fumes.

Fire and Emergency received a call reporting an unknown chemical spill at 12.30pm at the school in Epsom. They sent two appliances, two trucks and a hazmat (hazardous material) unit to the scene.

A building at the school was evacuated as a precaution.

“Hato Hone St John was notified of a chemical incident in Epsom, at 12.42pm,” a St John spokesperson said.

An ambulance and a rapid response unit attended the scene.

The college confirmed there was a chemical spill in its Senior School art department.

“A staff member was preparing to empty a set of shelves containing historic biological specimen glass jars,” principal Charlotte Avery said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, one of the shelves collapsed and some specimen jars were broken.”

The building was evacuated and the Fire Service called, the statement said.

“One of our teachers came into contact with the substance, and some of our students have been impacted by fumes.

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“Our staff and students are safe. Students impacted by the fumes have had their eyes washed. As a precaution we ensured our Junior School students played inside during break time.

“The building is in the process of being thoroughly cleaned and aerated by the Fire Brigade. We have been advised that the building is safe for entry anytime 20 minutes after being aerated.

“We understand that the substance in the jars was a type of formaldehyde, which was correctly stored in a locked cabinet.

“We are currently reviewing all our storage of historic specimens which will be removed”.