A chemical spill resulted in 16 people being taken to hospital and the evacuation of a Hastings school yesterday. Fire crews from Hastings and Napier were called to Camberley School in Hastings about 10am after reports of a chemical spill, with a "toxic smell" detected in the school buildings. Principal Tamla Smith said the spill was believed to have come from an "old-fashioned" mercury thermometer housed in the science area which broke on Friday afternoon. Ms Smith said the school was advised to send students home in case the wind spread the toxicants across the school. She was unsure how much the incident might cost the school, although replacing all the carpet tiles would be covered by insurance.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 06, 2017 19:47 UTC