‘Highly explosive’ material at research facility after ‘chemical spill’

Emergency crews have found “highly explosive” material at a Sydney research facility after reports of a chemical spill.

NSW Fire and Rescue were called to the Garvan Institute in Darlinghurst about 1.15pm today.

“Fire and Rescue HAZMAT crews are attending an address on Victoria Street Darlinghurst after the discovery of a container of perchloric acid,” Fire and Rescue said in a statement to the Sydney Morning Herald.

“The acid is crystalised in form and has high explosive potential.”

There are road closures between Victoria Street and Burton Street and an exclusion zone has been set up.