A major clean-up operation is underway after around 100 tonnes of liquid metal leaked from a rail car onto the ground at the Port Kembla steelworks.
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Emergency services were called to the incident, which occurred at BlueScope's steel-making plant, around 8.30am on Sunday.
Fire and Rescue NSW Illawarra duty commander, Inspector Gary Williams, said fire crews offered protection to the BlueScope workers involved in the clean-up.
"The insulation inside one of the rail cars has been compromised somehow, leading to a 150mm hole through which the molten metal has leaked through," he said.
"It then just melts everything in its path, so has damaged the car itself, and the railway line beneath.
"Fire crews protected the BlueScope employees as they worked to plug the hole, and stop the leak."
Insp Williams praised the workers for following safety procedures, which ensured that there were no injuries nor damage to surrounding buildings.
"The damage was confined to the car and the track, which I'd imagine would take some time before it's operational again," he said.
Five fire crews attended the scene, undertaking atmospheric monitoring and ventilation as well as fire protection.
A NSW Ambulance crew also attended as a precautionary measure.
Insp Williams said there had been no evacuations from the site while the clean-up continued.
Investigations continue into the cause for the spill.