Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) is advising members of the public to take care if they are in the vicinity of Ponsonby Intermediate School where Tuesday’s fire occurred. The blaze occurred in a building that had asbestos in its roof, with .
Press Release – Auckland Regional Public Health Service
Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) is advising members of the public to take care if they are in the vicinity of Ponsonby Intermediate School where Tuesday’s fire occurred.
The blaze occurred in a building that had asbestos in its roof, with the fire and weather conditions spreading some debris up to 100 metres along one of the neighbouring roads, Sheehan Street.
ARPHS Medical Officer of Health Dr Denise Barnfather says any risk is very low and a number of measures have already been taken to protect people’s health.
“The Ministry of Education has taken steps to ensure the school site is safe and is arranging for appropriate demolition and removal of the building’s remains,” she says. “Contractors have also removed debris from the street and footpaths and the road is being flushed.”
RYAN ANDERSON/STUFF
Firefighters were called to the school after a fire started in one of the classrooms. Alan Ahmu, Auckland Council’s team leader for food safety and health, said on Wednesday there were no risks to the surrounding neighbourhood as the burnt building had been cordoned off. The medical officer of health for the Auckland Regional Public Health Service said as the fire was a one-off incident and asbestos fibres were contained in roofing material, the public health risk was considered to be “very low”. “We have assured residents that while asbestos is known to have damaging health effects, this occurs only after high levels of exposure over long periods of time.”
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