Helicopter sprays sewage on firefighters
A water-bombing helicopter has mistakenly sprayed partially treated sewage onto firefighters battling a blaze on the NSW mid-north coast.
The Rural Fire Service has launched an investigation into last Tuesday's incident but says all firefighters involved have undergone medical checks and none have shown any ill effects.
The mistaken drop took place in the Kew area, near Port Macquarie, where firefighters and four aircraft were battling a blaze.
The Australian Workers Union urged an investigation after RFS volunteers and state forest crews were affected.
An RFS spokesman said on Monday that a helicopter mistakenly drew up secondary treatment water from a sewage treatment plant.
It was then dropped near 12 firefighters, while another seven firefighters were in the general area.
"Following this, all 29 firefighters on the fireground and their equipment were immediately withdrawn and decontaminated by Fire and Rescue NSW," the spokesman said.
They were also checked by paramedics at the scene and as a precaution each firefighter was given a further medical check the following day, he said.
"At this time, no firefighters have complained of any ill-effects."
The spokesman said the firefighters would continue to be monitored by the RFS.
The fire was brought under control after burning more than thirty hectares.