Warning to stay indoors after IFF chemical spillage
Monday, 18th July 2011.
5.15pm - The situation is now contained and clear-up operations will go on through the evening.
Suffolk County Council has issued the following statement:
Suffolk Fire Rescue Service received a call at 12.49pm today, to a chemical spillage at IFF premises, Duddery Hill, Haverhill.
Appliances responded from Haverhill, Bury and Ixworth.
On arrival at the scene, information was sought on the chemical involved and this led to an initial exclusion zone being established whilst the incident was dealt with in the early stages.
The spillage has now been contained, the situation stabilised and efforts to clear up the spillage will take place later this evening.
All exclusion zones have now been lifted. A message has been passed to all schools informing them that the situation has been stabilised and they are free to allow children to leave.
The incident is continuing to be dealt with by SFRS firefighters, supporting the IFF firefighters and other agencies on the scene.
As with all incidents, the SFRS will carry out a full de-brief involving all the agencies at the scene, to identify lessons that can be learnt.
4.50pm - The fire service are ceasing all operations while children from schools go home. Operations will be reviewed in one hour's time.
The incident is now described as 'contained' and 'stable'.
4.45pm - Paramedics have been assessing the driver of the tanker from which the aluminium chloride escaped.
IFF works fire crews are clearing up. Suffolk Fire Service crews are preparing gas tight suits to take over cleaning up using shovels and works drums. Dry decontamination is being set up.
4.30pm - The warning to stay indoors has spread throughout the town and police are now carrying out door-to-door calls to inform residents.
The powder spilt was aluminium chloride and many people have now reported a strong chlorine smell in various areas of the town - strong enough according to one person that if the swimming pool smelt like that they would close it down.
Clements school is now allowing parents and children out to go home at their own risk.
Coupals Primary School, which had also kept children and parents in is now allowing them home.
3.30pm - Children at New Clements Primary School and parents who arrived to pick them up are being kept in the school while experts ascertain the risk from the fumes.
One mother who had just arrived to pick up her daughter, said: "It's really frightening because we don't know what's going on.
"I walked here with my other daughter and now I'm really worried about that."
3pm - Residents of the Chalkstone estate, Roman Way and Wilsey Estate in Haverhill are being advised to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows shut after a chemical spillage at the IFF site.
The fire service were called just before 1pm to a spillage of chemicals and two fire engines from Haverhill, two from Bury St Edmunds, one from Ixworth, and a command support vehicle from Ixworth attended.
The spillage of chemical is being dealt with by crews in chemical protection suits and breathing apparatus. The chemical is in powder form but due to rain and wind it has reacted and there are now toxic fumes being released.
It had resulted from one tonne of light powder being blown out from a tanker. Works crew used salvage sheets to cover it and protect it from rain.
The surrounding area has been evacuated. Downwind properties have been told to remain indoors and close their windows. The fire service is liaising with site staff to decide on the best action.
Drums are being prepared for containment of the spillage. Two further fire engines have been sent for from Newmarket.
Suffolk County Council has issued the following statement:
Suffolk Fire Rescue Service received a call at 12.49pm today, to a chemical spillage at IFF premises, Duddery Hill, Haverhill.
Appliances responded from Haverhill, Bury and Ixworth.
On arrival at the scene, information was sought on the chemical involved and this led to an initial exclusion zone being established whilst the incident was dealt with in the early stages.
The spillage has now been contained, the situation stabilised and efforts to clear up the spillage will take place later this evening.
All exclusion zones have now been lifted. A message has been passed to all schools informing them that the situation has been stabilised and they are free to allow children to leave.
The incident is continuing to be dealt with by SFRS firefighters, supporting the IFF firefighters and other agencies on the scene.
As with all incidents, the SFRS will carry out a full de-brief involving all the agencies at the scene, to identify lessons that can be learnt.
4.50pm - The fire service are ceasing all operations while children from schools go home. Operations will be reviewed in one hour's time.
The incident is now described as 'contained' and 'stable'.
4.45pm - Paramedics have been assessing the driver of the tanker from which the aluminium chloride escaped.
IFF works fire crews are clearing up. Suffolk Fire Service crews are preparing gas tight suits to take over cleaning up using shovels and works drums. Dry decontamination is being set up.
4.30pm - The warning to stay indoors has spread throughout the town and police are now carrying out door-to-door calls to inform residents.
The powder spilt was aluminium chloride and many people have now reported a strong chlorine smell in various areas of the town - strong enough according to one person that if the swimming pool smelt like that they would close it down.
Clements school is now allowing parents and children out to go home at their own risk.
Coupals Primary School, which had also kept children and parents in is now allowing them home.
3.30pm - Children at New Clements Primary School and parents who arrived to pick them up are being kept in the school while experts ascertain the risk from the fumes.
One mother who had just arrived to pick up her daughter, said: "It's really frightening because we don't know what's going on.
"I walked here with my other daughter and now I'm really worried about that."
3pm - Residents of the Chalkstone estate, Roman Way and Wilsey Estate in Haverhill are being advised to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows shut after a chemical spillage at the IFF site.
The fire service were called just before 1pm to a spillage of chemicals and two fire engines from Haverhill, two from Bury St Edmunds, one from Ixworth, and a command support vehicle from Ixworth attended.
The spillage of chemical is being dealt with by crews in chemical protection suits and breathing apparatus. The chemical is in powder form but due to rain and wind it has reacted and there are now toxic fumes being released.
It had resulted from one tonne of light powder being blown out from a tanker. Works crew used salvage sheets to cover it and protect it from rain.
The surrounding area has been evacuated. Downwind properties have been told to remain indoors and close their windows. The fire service is liaising with site staff to decide on the best action.
Drums are being prepared for containment of the spillage. Two further fire engines have been sent for from Newmarket.
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