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By Kim Baker Wilson and Finn Blackwell of 

A woman has been taken to hospital after a spill involving a “particularly nasty” chemical at an Auckland school.

Firefighters cordoned off ACG Senior College Parnell in Auckland on Monday morning.

The school confirmed the incident involved a laboratory technician who was clearing chemical stocks as part of routine holiday activities.

Fire and Emergency NZ confirmed firefighters were working to contain a chemical spill at the college which was reported just before 10am.

A spokesperson said crews were still working to make the area safe.

Fire and Emergency Assistant Commander Dave Woon said the type of chemical was “particularly nasty”.

The spill happened in a science lab. Photo / Kim Baker Wilson, RNZ

“We’ve had a patient that’s had some spilt on her, she’s been taken off to hospital by ambulance, and we’ve been in contact with our Queensland colleagues to get an understanding of the best way of moving forward and neutralising the product,” he said.

Woon said the chemical reacts violently with water.

“It does have phosphorous content to it, and it does react violently with water, so we do have an issue where it’s spilt on skin and has been inhaled.”

He said they were taking careful, calculated steps to collect and dispose of the chemical.

ACG Parnell College principal Damian Watson said the incident occurred while a laboratory technician was clearing chemical stocks.

He said the school immediately activated its health and safety protocols and alerted emergency services.

“FENZ contained the spill, secured the campus and confirmed it is safe. FENZ is no longer on site.

“An ambulance also attended, and the laboratory technician involved was taken to Auckland Hospital for precautionary assessment. They are expected to be discharged later today.

“We would like to thank FENZ staff for the careful and systematic way they resolved this incident. We are fortunate to have such highly trained professionals to call on when situations like this arise.”

An ambulance outside the college. Photo / Kim Baker Wilson, RNZ

A reporter at the scene said a decontamination shower had been set up outside the school on Parnell’s Titoki St and five fire trucks were at the scene along with three specialist trucks.

An ambulance was also present.

Yellow tape which said “hot zone” had been put on the front steps to the college.

Firefighters by the entrance. Photo / Kim Baker Wilson, RNZ

- RNZ