Chemical spill evacuates Post Office

Thursday 31 July 2014

Hundreds of postal workers were evacuated from the Rue des Pres headquarters this morning when an unmarked package believed to contain sulphuric acid started leaking in the sorting room.

Two members of staff have been taken to hospital as a precaution with minor burns, but are not thought to have been hurt.

Firefighters and police went to the post office before 9 am this morning after management evacuated the building, but quickly gave the all-clear for the staff to return to work after 45 minutes.

Director of postal operations Andy Jéhan said that an unmarked package containing cleaning chemicals – believed to be sulphuric acid – arrived in the air-mail this morning.

“When it was transferred to the belt it started to leak and that’s when it was noticed, and the area was isolated,” said Mr Jéhan.

He added that it was rare to have to evacuate the building, but that it was good to see that their emergency procedures had worked, and that the staff had left quickly and safely.

Some deliveries today are expected to be delayed because of the disruption.