Shropshire Star

Suspicious chemical drum find sparks major investigation near Oswestry

Three barrels suspected of holding hazardous chemicals were found in woodland used by dog walkers this afternoon – sparking a major investigation.

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A cul-de-sac was cordoned off while firefighters tried to establish what was in the sealed containers and whether the area was safe.

A dog also fell ill in the area while investigations were being carried out and later died. But fire service chiefs said there is not believed to be a link between the animal's death and the containers.

People living in Glentworth Close in Morda, near Oswestry, were asked to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed as a precaution.

The drums, which were found by a dog walker in woodland behind the cul-de-sac off Morda Road, were secured by firefighters and stored safely at the scene overnight.

Environment Agency officials will attend the site tomorrow and take the barrels away.

It is not known what is in the containers.

The barrels were found shortly after 4.30pm on Tuesday and police and about 20 firefighters were on the scene until shortly after 7pm.

Station manager Ian Leigh of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We eventually found three containers. All were sealed and had not been leaking.

"We placed those in a further container specifically designed to hold hazardous substances as a precautionary measure to ensure they can be stored safely and picked up by an Environment Agency team.

"The EA is aware of the incident and is arranging for materials to be collected tomorrow.

"We have not investigated the contents of the containers – they were sealed so there was no need to risk opening them up.

"We are aware of a dog who was taken ill in the area and that dog subsequently died. But there is no link that we can see between the materials in the containers and the dog – the containers were fully sealed.

"The road was closed as we wee trying to establish what it was we were dealing with and if any chemicals were leaking.

"There were no evacuations but we did give advice to people to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed as a precaution."

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