Hazardous chemicals not stolen

UPDATE: Eighty cans of aluminium phosphide reported stolen in Derrimut on Monday night have been accounted for.

Further investigation revealed the chemicals were in a warehouse interstate and not stolen.

The matter has now been referred to WorkSafe.

Brimbank residents had been urged to be careful when the chemicals – 80 330-gram cans of aluminum phosphide – were thought to have been stolen.

The chemical is extremely dangerous, will explode when it comes into contact with water and if inhaled, has an effect similar to nerve gas.

Detectives from Brimbank Crime Investigation Unit investigated the incident.