Chemicals in water at Fiskville firefighting training centre

Chemicals have been found in the water at a controversial Victorian firefighting training centre, shutting the site down.

Firefighters at a briefing for nearby bushfires

Firefighters who trained at a Victorian fire training centre have shown higher rates of cancer. (AAP) Source: AAP

All operations at Victoria's controversial Fiskville firefighting training centre have been suspended after chemical residues were found in water tanks.

The Country Fire Authority said the chemical residues were detected in large tanks used to store mains water for firefighter training and two hydrants.

A study found a cancer cluster among firefighters who trained at Fiskville, and the state government has announced an inquiry into the centre.

"We understand that our members, particularly those who are working at the site, may be concerned by these precautionary measures," CFA CEO Michael Wooten said on Monday.

He said operations would be suspended until further testing is completed.

"This process could take up to two weeks," Mr Wooten said.

The residues contain PFOS, a type of perfluoro chemical that was found in firefighting foams used until 2007.

It is also found in products such as make-up, shaving cream and paper packaging.

"It's important to note that the preliminary advice from one of Australia's pre-eminent toxicologists is that any risk to the health of people at Fiskville is likely to be very low," Mr Wooten said.

Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett said the Department of Justice would oversee the investigation and respond to health concerns.

A Monash University study of 606 firefighters, who worked or trained at Fiskville between 1971 and 1999, found they were suffering brain, skin and testicular cancers at higher rates than the general population.

Sixteen firefighters among that group have died from cancer, and another 53 have battled it.


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Source: AAP


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