Ellesmere factory evacuated in chemical incident - with video
An Ellesmere factory was evacuated and nearby residents told to stay indoors after a chemical leak.
Specialist hazardous materials crews were called to Fullwood, which manufactures milking equipment, on Tuesday morning.
At least four out of about 80 20-litre drums of a corrosive chemical on a pallet at the factory in Ellesmere were found to be leaking.
The solid material, which was stored outside and was found to be giving off vapour, is a cleaning material used in farming.
The drama happened at the plant, on Grange Road, mid-morning. People living nearby were told to stay indoors and to close windows and doors.
About 80 workers were forced to leave the building. Staff were allowed back to work by early afternoon and there were no casualties.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service sent about 25 firefighters, including the environmental protection unit, to the scene yesterday.
The fire service also confirmed the incident was not being treated as suspicious, and said it was investigating the cause of the leak.
The drama happened at the plant, on Grange Road, mid-morning. People living nearby were told to stay indoors and to close windows and doors.
About 80 workers were forced to leave the building. Staff were allowed back to work by early afternoon and there were no casualties.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service sent about 25 firefighters, including the environmental protection unit, to the scene yesterday.
The fire service also confirmed the incident was not being treated as suspicious, and said it was investigating the cause of the leak.
Spokesman Malcolm Stevenson said teams in hazmat suits using specialist equipment were dealing with the incident. He said: “What happened is that a number of drums of a milk line cleaning chemical, that is corrosive, begun to leak overnight.”
Mr Stevenson said the chemical had mixed with rainwater making the spillage more serious and it was also found to be giving off a potentially harmful vapour.
He said: “It was contained to the factory so we did not evacuate nearby houses or close the road. But because it was corrosive and because there were so many drums we told people to stay indoors and keep their windows closed, and we advised people to avoid the area.”
Adam Matthews, from the fire service, said: “Firefighters entered with breathing apparatus and protective equipment as we tried to ascertain what we were dealing with.
“We worked our way through a number of chemical drums, some of which were found to have been compromised.
“It was a solid material used in the farming industry. This company stores and distributes it rather than produces it.
“We took a slow, methodical approach to make sure everything was safe.”
Anne Tugwell, of West Mercia Police, said: “We were informed by the fire service that it was dealing with a chemical incident at a location in Grange Road, Ellesmere. Officers were was asked to attend to assist with evacuation of offices and the factory unit.”
Staff from Fullwood and nearby businesses were seen walking in to the town centre after being told to evacuate.
One resident who did not wish to be named said: “I was out in the garden when I heard sirens and saw emergency services arrive.”
Fire crews remained on scene until late yesterday afternoon to ensure the scene was safe.
Fullwood designs, manufactures and supplies milking systems and milk storage equipment.
Reporter James Pugh tweeted from the scene:
