Freight company evacuated after acid spill

Fifteen people were evacuated from a freight fowarding company in Palmerston North early today after a fork lift pierced a 200-litre drum of hydrochloric acid.

The fire service was called about 12.30am to clean up the spill in a freight truck at a transport company in Keith St.

Palmerston North chief fire officer Rodger Calder said no one was injured, but the acid was dangerous.

All workers were evacuated and firefighters wore full protective gear while they cleaned up, using kitty litter to neutralise the spill.

All the other goods in the truck had to be destroyed, he said. Firefighters spent five hours mopping up the mess.

Mr Calder said spills like this happened from time to time.

"Once again we just ask freight forwarding people and people in warehouses to take extra care when they are working around hazardous chemicals."

- NZPA