An explosion and subsequent chemical fire at the Australian National University in Canberra, this afternoon caused up to AUS $1 million in damage and forced the evacuation of most of the main campus. As the fire spread , and along with it, a cloud of potentially toxic smoke , a large number of fire personnel were called to the site and police, with limited success, attempted to cordon off access to the university. Buildings downwind were progressively evacuated, including the central union building and students association at approximately 3pm. All students in the buildings were asked to leave the campus entirely. There was a great deal of confusion afterwards , as while police were able to clear the buildings successfully, they had some difficulty passing on the evacuation message to those already outside. The university sent an email message giving a brief explanation of the situation at around the same time, but this did not reach most students immediately, leading to widespread confusion as to what exactly was going on. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Lawrence Cram sent an update email to all students at approximately 3.30pm stating that the fire was under control and suggesting that the students in the affected areas should go home , while making no mention of those in other areas. By this time, a significant number of students had already left according to the instructions of police on the scene. While the email had suggested that only parts of the campus had been shut down, there  were reports of activities being cancelled at the other end of the campus late into the afternoon.
An explosion and subsequent chemical fire at the Australian National University this afternoon caused an estimated AUS $1 million in damage and forced the evacuation of most of the main campus. As the fire spread a cloud of potentially toxic smoke formed. A large number of fire personnel were called to the site and police, with limited success, attempted to cordon off access to the university. Buildings downwind were progressively evacuated, including the central union building and students association at approximately 3pm. Students in the buildings were asked to leave the campus entirely. There was a great deal of confusion afterwards . Police were able to clear the buildings successfully, but had some difficulty evacuating those who were already outside. The university sent an email message giving a brief explanation of the situation at around the same time, but this did not reach most students immediately, leading to widespread confusion as to what exactly was going on. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Lawrence Cram sent an follow-up email to the students at approximately 3.30pm stating that the fire was under control and suggesting that the students in the affected areas should go home . There were reports of activities being cancelled at the other end of the campus late into the afternoon.
D
in Canberra,
R
up to
an estimated
D
, and along with it,
R
, a
formed. A
R
All students
Students
R
, as while police
. Police
R
they
but
R
passing on the evacuation message to those
evacuating those who were
R
update email to all
follow-up email to the
R
, while making no mention of those in other areas. By this time, a significant number of students had already left according to the instructions of police on the scene. While the email had suggested that only parts of the campus had been shut down, there
.
A
There