EMERGENCY services have ordered evacuation around a major industrial fire at Port Adelaide.
Reports say fire in sulphur being discharged from Ocean Ersa at Berth 29 has hospitalised two workers.
The fire is in a large shed containing the sulphur which caught alight, sending toxic smoke across the area.
The Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) declared an emergency warning on Thursday, directing anyone within one kilometre of Moonta Road to leave immediately due to the hazardous smoke plume. Authorities warned the area was "extremely dangerous" and urged people not to enter the evacuation zone.
According to an ABC report, the fire broke out in a large industrial shed and was producing significant volumes of smoke as sulphur continued to burn.
The MFS described the smoke as toxic and confirmed specialist HAZMAT resources had been deployed alongside multiple firefighting crews.
Approximately 18 fire appliances, including aerial and hazardous materials vehicles, responded to the incident.
Assistant chief fire officer Phil Rogers told ABC Radio Adelaide the blaze was largely smouldering rather than producing large flames, a characteristic common to sulphur fires.
“It is fully contained within the premises that it is being housed in, but it is very, very difficult to put out,” Mr Rogers told the ABC.
He said that sulphur fires present unique challenges for firefighters because they generate substantial smoke while often remaining deep-seated within stockpiles of material.
“A sulphur fire, what generally happens is that it's a smouldering fire, it doesn't actually have a huge amount of flame as such, but it does produce quite a toxic smoke,” he said.
Fire crews worked with site management to determine the best method of suppressing the fire and protecting surrounding infrastructure.
Excavators were reportedly being used to move sulphur product away from the burning area, while firefighters considered various containment and smothering techniques.
The ABC reported that visibility within the shed had become a significant operational challenge for emergency crews.
“We are working with management to work out the best way to get more product away from what is burning and save a lot of the infrastructure in and around this area,” Mr Rogers said.
SA Ambulance confirmed at least one person was transported to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, although authorities had not released details regarding the severity of the individual's condition.
The MFS continued to advise residents, workers and visitors to monitor official warning channels, avoid the area and follow health guidance regarding smoke exposure, including closing windows, doors and air vents where appropriate.
At the time of publication, firefighters remained on scene and no official cause for the fire had been announced.
The fire prompted MEDLOG ECP ADELAIDE to inform customers it would be closed until Friday at 7am.
“We wish to advise that due to unforeseen circumstances our depot has been forced to close the main gates and is not accepting notifications at this time,” the notice said.
“Transport operators are advised to avoid the area until further advised. An update on the situation will be issued in due course,” it said.