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| Toxic cloud sparks safety warning | |
| (4 days later) | |
| A toxic cloud caused by a fire at a chemical plant spread across part of the West Midlands. | A toxic cloud caused by a fire at a chemical plant spread across part of the West Midlands. |
| Police said the cloud of phosphorus measuring about 50ft (15m) by 400ft (122m) blew south towards the M5. | Police said the cloud of phosphorus measuring about 50ft (15m) by 400ft (122m) blew south towards the M5. |
| The ambulance service said two people were taken to hospital after becoming nauseous. Two nearby residents were also affected. | The ambulance service said two people were taken to hospital after becoming nauseous. Two nearby residents were also affected. |
| Residents in Langley, Oldbury, were told to keep windows shut for three hours until the alert was scaled down. | Residents in Langley, Oldbury, were told to keep windows shut for three hours until the alert was scaled down. |
| I noticed there was a bit of a haze outside Niall Crowley | I noticed there was a bit of a haze outside Niall Crowley |
| Fire crews were called to reports of a blaze at Rhodia Consumer Specialities in Trinity Street, Langley, at 1230 GMT. | Fire crews were called to reports of a blaze at Rhodia Consumer Specialities in Trinity Street, Langley, at 1230 GMT. |
| Police closed off the Wolverhampton Road, which the cloud was blowing along, from Birchley Island to Causeway Green Road. | Police closed off the Wolverhampton Road, which the cloud was blowing along, from Birchley Island to Causeway Green Road. |
| The cloud remained for three hours until dispersed by the wind. | The cloud remained for three hours until dispersed by the wind. |
| West Midlands Ambulance Service said two Highways Agency officers were taken to Sandwell Hospital. | West Midlands Ambulance Service said two Highways Agency officers were taken to Sandwell Hospital. |
| "Two members of the public who live near the plant were also affected but were given advice and did not need to go to hospital," a spokesman said. | "Two members of the public who live near the plant were also affected but were given advice and did not need to go to hospital," a spokesman said. |
| Hospital alert | Hospital alert |
| Hospitals were also put on alert for possible casualties. | Hospitals were also put on alert for possible casualties. |
| Niall Crowley, who grew up near the factory, was having dinner with his mother at a nearby pub. | Niall Crowley, who grew up near the factory, was having dinner with his mother at a nearby pub. |
| He said he thought it had been foggy when they arrived. | He said he thought it had been foggy when they arrived. |
| "I noticed there was a bit of a haze outside when I took my mum out for a meal," he said. | "I noticed there was a bit of a haze outside when I took my mum out for a meal," he said. |
| "Soon after we we arrived, a waitress heard the police over a tannoy saying do not go outside." | "Soon after we we arrived, a waitress heard the police over a tannoy saying do not go outside." |
| "We stayed at the restaurant for about an hour. But I needed to take my mum home so I decided to leave the restaurant. But we are both ok." | "We stayed at the restaurant for about an hour. But I needed to take my mum home so I decided to leave the restaurant. But we are both ok." |
| A spokesman said the chemical reacted badly in contact with water and advised residents to avoid baths or showers until it had dispersed. | A spokesman said the chemical reacted badly in contact with water and advised residents to avoid baths or showers until it had dispersed. |
| Police said anyone who experienced symptoms such as eye irritation and sneezing should seek medical advice. | Police said anyone who experienced symptoms such as eye irritation and sneezing should seek medical advice. |
| It is not yet known how the fire started. | It is not yet known how the fire started. |