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17/06/2009
Residents Evacuated As Firefighters Tackle Chemical Plant Blaze
More than 200 people have been forced to evacuate their homes following a fire at a chemical plant in Herefordshire.
Around 80 firefighters from several counties were sent to tackle the blaze at the Skymark plant on Southern Avenue in Leominster, Herefordshire, which started at 3.30am this morning.
The two-storey building contains "a large quantity of chemicals, solvents and LPG gas cylinders", the fire service said. However there are no casualties.
A 400-metre cordon was set up around the site and 150 neighbouring residents were evacuated to a nearby sports centre.
Almost 100 children had to miss GCSE and A level exams at the schools which were closed by the incident.
The fire service spokesman said: "A plume of black smoke carrying chemicals out of this factory premises can be seen for many miles away."
It is understood some 50,000 litres of chemicals together with a number of butane gas cylinders are at the site on the outskirts of Leominster.
The chemical causing the most concern is a type of isocyanate which can be toxic, and is used to make clear plastic films used in packaging.
Herefordshire Council has closed several roads in south Leominster, while train services and bus services have also been suspended.
Supt Kevin Purcell, from West Mercia Police, said: "There's some monitoring equipment going in in terms of keeping an eye on what chemicals are being released and what damage, if any, they will do into the local environment.
"Public health are considering now in terms of the chemicals that were in the property that have been burnt and the issues around public health for that."
(JM/BMcC)
Around 80 firefighters from several counties were sent to tackle the blaze at the Skymark plant on Southern Avenue in Leominster, Herefordshire, which started at 3.30am this morning.
The two-storey building contains "a large quantity of chemicals, solvents and LPG gas cylinders", the fire service said. However there are no casualties.
A 400-metre cordon was set up around the site and 150 neighbouring residents were evacuated to a nearby sports centre.
Almost 100 children had to miss GCSE and A level exams at the schools which were closed by the incident.
The fire service spokesman said: "A plume of black smoke carrying chemicals out of this factory premises can be seen for many miles away."
It is understood some 50,000 litres of chemicals together with a number of butane gas cylinders are at the site on the outskirts of Leominster.
The chemical causing the most concern is a type of isocyanate which can be toxic, and is used to make clear plastic films used in packaging.
Herefordshire Council has closed several roads in south Leominster, while train services and bus services have also been suspended.
Supt Kevin Purcell, from West Mercia Police, said: "There's some monitoring equipment going in in terms of keeping an eye on what chemicals are being released and what damage, if any, they will do into the local environment.
"Public health are considering now in terms of the chemicals that were in the property that have been burnt and the issues around public health for that."
(JM/BMcC)
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