Video sparks hazard fears

But Binary Industries owner Terrence Armstrong has blamed fire authorities for much of the environmental damage that resulted from the 2005 fire at Narangba Industrial Estate, north of Brisbane.

Nearby residents have been on high alert since the home movie, taken several weeks ago at Binary Industries, sparked fears the facility was again a fire risk.

The video showed a packed shed containing contaminated material with evidence of spills and unsafe storage practices.

Queensland University toxic expert Barry Noller said the video highlighted a "poor general attitude to housekeeping" which needed urgent attention.

Mr Armstrong, speaking publicly for the first time since the blaze, attempted to ease residents' concerns yesterday but also said fire authorities and not the company should be blamed for the massive pollution the fire caused.

Mr Armstrong said fire authorities should have used foam on the fire and they ignored a Hazmat (hazardous materials) box containing a manifest of on-site chemicals.

Binary faces multiple lawsuits but the company ruled out its own action against fire authorities.

Since the latest video emerged in recent weeks, Mr Armstrong said security had been "beefed up" and a contractor, hired by Binary to help remediate the site, said they were "working towards improving the storage situation". Mr Armstrong said the company was storing thousands of litres of herbicides and contaminated fire water on-site but claimed there were no flammables.

A scathing government report commissioned after the Binary fire and released last month identified several regulatory issues at the estate, including poor storage and workplace practices.

Associate Professor Noller and an industrial chemist, who did not wish to be named, were concerned the video showed electrical cords near spills that could ignite.

Professor Noller said a lack of firefighting devices, such as foam and sprinklers, and a sole fire extinguisher raised concerns that "they could not handle another fire".

"If someone can walk in and take a video the security is not very good, some of the containers were leaking and obviously damaged by handling," he said.

The two said it was unsafe to use blocks of wood to balance 1000-litre containers on each other and that damaged drums stored outdoors should be under cover as "sunshine is enough for them to combust".

Narangba Action Group spokeswoman Fran Jell said she was shocked by the video.

"The local community now are very vigilant but have had enough, we are frustrated," she said.

An EPA spokesperson said the temporary storage arrangements were ordered by the Planning and Environment Court and "should not be compared with the normal standards for the permanent storage of chemicals".

The Department of Emergency Services last night dismissed Mr Armstrong's claims, saying the manifest box information was out of date and unreliable and water had been the only option as firefighters had not been able to get close enough to use foam.

Source: The Courier-Mail