Dozens taken to hospital after chemical leak at a Beresfield factory forces the evacuation of 300

Twenty-six people have been treated by paramedics and up to 300 workers have been evacuated following a chemical leak at a factory in Beresfield, near Newcastle.

Fire crews were called to the Hawthorne Street factory at about 8.30am today, where they found a number of people presenting with nausea and wheezing.

A chemical leak was isolated and fire crews evacuated between 200 and 300 workers from the building as a precaution.

Twenty-six people are being transported to three Hunter hospitals.

Those presenting with minor symptoms are undergoing decontamination at the site.

Six fire crews as well as Hazmat remain at the factory and are still undertaking atmospheric testing.

An exclusion zone remains in place.

This is a breaking news story. More detail will be added shortly.

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