Tasmanian authorities are unable to stop a toxic chemical leak at a waste management facility in Spreyton, and instead plan to send the chemical drums back to the mine site they came from and bury them.
Yesterday, authorities attended the Veolia Waste Management plant on Kelcey Tier Road, south of Devonport, after fumes were reportedly leaking from several drums.
A 60-metre exclusion zone was initially established but authorities upgraded that to 600 metres on Wednesday, taking in much of the industrial part of town and about a dozen houses.
The fire service's Mark Brownrigg said the drums were transferred to the plant from a mine site on Tasmania's west coast and contained 1.4 tonnes of sodium hydrosulphite, which can emit a toxic sulphur dioxide gas.
"Unfortunately, it's come into contact with a bit of moisture which is now causing sulphur dioxide gas, which is quite toxic," Mr Brownrigg told ABC Mornings.
"It's a corrosive type of gas that reacts with moisture, and inhalation is the only real issue to the public.
"It's not explosive but it can catch on fire. But we're quite confident with the amount of sand on there that we've reduced the combustion process to be only smouldering."
Hazardous material specialists last night thought they had contained the leak but crews returned this morning after more fumes were reported.
Nearby residents have been told to "close all doors, windows, and vents, and turn air conditioners to recirculate or off" until the threat has passed.
Some nearby businesses and residents have been evacuated.
Convoy to return drums to mine and bury them
Mr Brownrigg said while the fumes can be dangerous, there was no major risk to the public.
He said the toxic materials would be returned to the mine site today via a convoy of emergency services vehicles, where it will be buried.
"[The drums are] now covered in sand but unfortunately it's continuing to give off gas and the only option we have is to bury it and to get it away from the built environment," Mr Brownrigg said.
"We have significant resources from TFS here to make sure the public is safe and the plan will be to transfer it back to the Savage River mine this morning at some stage.
"There'll be a convoy of emergency service vehicles this morning … probably be around midday some stage.
"The TFS and Tasmania Police will escort the substance back to the mine site and it will be buried under the direction of the EPA [Environmental Protection Authority].
People in the affected area are urged to check the TasAlert website for the latest information regarding the incident.
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