Authorities are on scene following a chemical incident at a business in Montague Gardens this afternoon (12 January), prompting road closures and safety advisories for nearby areas.
According to Table View Neighbourhood Watch media liaison Laura Outhet, who posted an update on social media, residents are urged to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution in the event that any fumes or substances drift toward surrounding neighbourhoods.
“Authorities are on scene and are containing the incident,” Outhet says.
The incident is reported along Montague Drive and Link Road, where emergency services are deployed and a road closure is in effect to allow crews to manage the situation safely.
Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson Charlotte Powell has confirmed that the City’s emergency services are currently attending to a chemical incident in the Montague Gardens area, where a hazardous materials incident has been declared. Powell says authorities are still awaiting further information from the City’s Fire and Rescue Service regarding the nature and extent of the incident.
She adds that road closures are in effect in the immediate vicinity, and that the Disaster Risk Management Centre is on standby to provide support where required. As a precautionary measure, the public is urged to steer clear of the affected area where possible until emergency services declare it safe.
“Firefighters also started evacuating the premises, as well as the area 200 meters downwind from the plume,” Powell says.
Nitric acid spill
Reports indicate it may be a nitric acid spill. According to the Table View Community Policing Forum (CPF), a nitric acid spill is considered an extremely dangerous, high-priority emergency due to the severe risks it poses to both human health and the environment. Nitric acid (HNO₃) is a highly corrosive mineral acid and a powerful oxidiser that can cause permanent damage within seconds of exposure.
The CPF warns that direct contact can result in deep chemical burns to the skin, often marked by a distinctive yellow discolouration, while inhalation of its toxic reddish-brown or yellow fumes can cause respiratory distress and, in more serious cases, delayed pulmonary oedema that may only develop 24 to 48 hours after exposure. Eye contact can lead to severe corneal damage or permanent blindness almost immediately.
The CPF further cautions that nitric acid presents significant fire and explosion risks.
“As a strong oxidiser, it reacts violently with organic materials such as wood, paper and fuel, as well as certain metals and chemicals, potentially triggering fires or explosions. These reactions can also accelerate the release of highly toxic nitrogen oxide gases, increasing the danger to nearby communities and emergency responders. Residents are therefore urged to strictly follow official safety instructions and avoid the affected area until authorities declare it safe,” the CPF says in a social media post.
Road closures in effect, delays expected
Motorists are advised to avoid the affected area, use alternative routes and expect traffic delays while emergency operations continue. Services remain on scene as authorities work to contain the incident and assess any potential risk to the public.
At the time of publication, no injuries are reported and further details regarding the nature of the alleged chemical incident have not yet been confirmed. Authorities are expected to issue updates as more information becomes available.
Residents and road users are urged to remain vigilant and to follow all instructions issued by emergency personnel on the ground.
