Ellesmere factory evacuated in chemical incident - with video and pictures
[gallery] An Ellesmere factory was today evacuated and nearby residents told to stay indoors after a spill of hazardous chemicals.
Specialist hazardous materials crews were called to the Fullwood factory, which manufactures milking equipment, on Grange Road.
Four of about 80 20-litre drums of a corrosive chemical on a pallet at the factory were found to be leaking at about 10am and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service sent about 25 firefighters, including the environmental protection unit, to the scene.
This afternoon staff were able to return to work and it was confirmed there had been no casualties. The situation was declared closed shortly after 2.30pm.
Spokesman Malcolm Stevenson said teams in hazmat suits using specialist equipment had dealt with the incident.
He said: "We have evacuated the Fulwood Factory on Grange Road.
"What has happened is that a number of drums of a milk line cleaning chemical, that is corrosive, have begun to leak overnight."
He said the chemical had mixed with rainwater making the spillage more serious and it was also found to be giving off a harmful vapour.
He said: "It looks to be contained to the factory so we are not evacuating nearby houses or closing the road but that could change.
"But because it is corrosive and because there are so many drums we are telling people to stay indoors and keep their windows closed, and we are advising people to avoid the area."
Anne Tugwell, spokeswoman for West Mercia Police, said: "At 11.40am today, we were informed by the fire service that it was dealing with a chemical incident at a location in Grange Road, Ellesmere.
"Five minutes later West Mercia Police was asked to attend to assist with evacuation of offices and a factory unit.
"Office staff were allowed to return at about 11.25am."
Fullwood designs, manufactures and supplies milking systems and milk storage equipment.
Our reporter James Pugh tweeted from the scene:
