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Explosives experts called to Sellafield over chemical concerns Explosives experts called to Sellafield over chemical concerns
(about 2 hours later)
Bomb disposal experts were called to the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant after a routine audit of chemicals stored on the site. Bomb disposal experts were called to the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant after a routine audit of chemicals stored in a laboratory.
Sellafield Ltd would not confirm the identity of the "range of substances" but said they were non-nuclear and had been on the site since 1992. Sellafield Ltd said it was "not a radiological event" but involved a small number of canisters of solvents which had been on the site since 1992.
However, there were concerns they could become hazardous if exposed to oxygen.However, there were concerns they could become hazardous if exposed to oxygen.
A spokesman said no explosion had taken place and there was no reason for people living locally to be concerned. An area of the site has been cordoned off, and the canisters will be disposed of by controlled explosion.
Mark Neate, the site's security and resilience director, said experts will now be looking to extract those materials and dispose of them. Sellafield said in a statement: "These chemicals are used extensively in many industries and are well understood.
He said: "We have all the appropriate experts, it's a routine process, I see no reason for any concern. "Because this is happening on the Sellafield site we exercise extreme caution and leave nothing to chance."
"As a matter of precaution, what we did was put a cordon around the material and moved people out of that cordon. 'Dig a trench'
"There was no evacuation of the site." It said a team from the army's Explosives Ordinance Disposal Team would dispose of the material safely.
"They will dig a trench, bury the canisters using sandbags, and detonate them in a controlled manner," the statement added.
"This will create a noise that will be audible off-site, but there is no need for alarm."
Environment Agency said it was aware of the situation and was working with partners to monitor it.Environment Agency said it was aware of the situation and was working with partners to monitor it.
Sellafield reprocesses and stores nearly all of Britain's nuclear waste.Sellafield reprocesses and stores nearly all of Britain's nuclear waste.
Last year, BBC's Panorama exposed safety concerns at the plant after a tip-off from a whistleblower, including allegations of inadequate staffing levels and poor maintenance.Last year, BBC's Panorama exposed safety concerns at the plant after a tip-off from a whistleblower, including allegations of inadequate staffing levels and poor maintenance.