Chemical leak at Derrimut site

Approximately 24 firefighters including specialist Hazmat crews are responding to a chemical leak in Derrimut.

FRV crews were called to the Hunter Road incident just after 3:30am, after a chemical, believed to be a herbicide, was reported to be leaking from a shipping container at an industrial site.

Crews arrived on scene to find staff at the site had isolated the container and covered it with an absorbant.

Firefighters are on scene working to ensure it is safe, having brought the incident under control 45 minutes after arriving.

Five people have been evacuated and surrounding sites have been evacuated as a precaution.

Specialist FRV Hazmat technicians are on scene and are monitoring air conditions in the surrounding area.

An advice message has been issued to people in Deer Park and Derrimut to stay informed and monitor conditions.

Victoria Police has implemented an exclusion zone around the site and Hunter Road has been closed to traffic.

This is expected to be a protracted incident and crews will remain on scene for some time.