Firefighters are now demanding to know the details of toxic chemicals they were exposed to while battling a week-long industrial fire in West Footscray last year, as several-dozen firefighters have reported falling ill since the blaze.
Affected firefighters now suffer a number of different conditions, including lasting headaches, memory loss, respiratory illnesses and nose bleeds.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is refusing to release details of the harmful fumes and chemicals that more than 750 firefighters were exposed to during the warehouse blaze.
Lawyers for the United Firefighters’ Union wrote to EPA chief executive saying, “You would appreciate that this information is vital for the health and safety of our client’s members, especially those that are already affected by this fire.”