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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Blast fears at chemical fire site | Blast fears at chemical fire site |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Eighty firefighters are tackling a fire at a Herefordshire chemical plant. | Eighty firefighters are tackling a fire at a Herefordshire chemical plant. |
| Nearly 200 people were told to leave their homes due to the possible danger of explosions during the blaze at Skymark, Southern Avenue, Leominster. | Nearly 200 people were told to leave their homes due to the possible danger of explosions during the blaze at Skymark, Southern Avenue, Leominster. |
| The two-storey building contains "a large quantity of chemicals, solvents and LPG gas cylinders" but there are no casualties, the fire service said. | The two-storey building contains "a large quantity of chemicals, solvents and LPG gas cylinders" but there are no casualties, the fire service said. |
| There have been "minor explosions", but it was not known if those explosions were gas cylinders, a spokesman added. | There have been "minor explosions", but it was not known if those explosions were gas cylinders, a spokesman added. |
| 'Wake up' | 'Wake up' |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| The fire service spokesman said: "A plume of black smoke carrying chemicals out of this factory premises can be seen for many miles away." | |
| A 200m (218.72yd) exclusion zone has been set up in the area and a refuge centre has been set up at a sports centre. | A 200m (218.72yd) exclusion zone has been set up in the area and a refuge centre has been set up at a sports centre. |
| People have been advised to stay indoors and close all windows and doors. | People have been advised to stay indoors and close all windows and doors. |
| Many roads have been closed following the fire | Many roads have been closed following the fire |
| The fire service spokesman said: "We're having to tackle the blaze externally because of the dangers, not just to our firefighters but also to the immediate population around that area." | The fire service spokesman said: "We're having to tackle the blaze externally because of the dangers, not just to our firefighters but also to the immediate population around that area." |
| The Minster College, Leominster Infants, Leominster Junior and Westfield Special schools have been closed. | The Minster College, Leominster Infants, Leominster Junior and Westfield Special schools have been closed. |
| Trains have been unable to call at Leominster railway station and because of the severity of the fire, there is no replacement road transport, National Rail said at about 0815 BST. | Trains have been unable to call at Leominster railway station and because of the severity of the fire, there is no replacement road transport, National Rail said at about 0815 BST. |
| Local bus services have been cancelled and many roads have been closed. | Local bus services have been cancelled and many roads have been closed. |
| 'Right across' | 'Right across' |
| The fire service was called at about 0330 BST on Wednesday and the site was well alight when crews got there. | The fire service was called at about 0330 BST on Wednesday and the site was well alight when crews got there. |
| Between 80 and 90 firefighters from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire were sent to the scene. | Between 80 and 90 firefighters from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire were sent to the scene. |
| The fire service said the Environment Agency had been trying to prevent any spillage into nearby rivers and streams. | The fire service said the Environment Agency had been trying to prevent any spillage into nearby rivers and streams. |
| Jim Melia, who lives near to the scene, said it was on the southern edge of the town and there was a plume of black smoke "going right across" Leominster. | Jim Melia, who lives near to the scene, said it was on the southern edge of the town and there was a plume of black smoke "going right across" Leominster. |
| Speaking from a hill overlooking the town, he said: "The plume of smoke is going to the north over the town. | Speaking from a hill overlooking the town, he said: "The plume of smoke is going to the north over the town. |
| "About 5 o'clock this morning we heard just the odd emergency sound of an ambulance or something and it happened a few times. | "About 5 o'clock this morning we heard just the odd emergency sound of an ambulance or something and it happened a few times. |
| "I think they were just trying to wake people up and make them aware something was going on." | "I think they were just trying to wake people up and make them aware something was going on." |
| The Met Office has been advising the fire service about wind speed and direction. | The Met Office has been advising the fire service about wind speed and direction. |
| The fire service said it expected to be at the scene for the rest of the day. | The fire service said it expected to be at the scene for the rest of the day. |
| Are you in the area? If you have any information you want to share with the BBC you can do do using the form below: | Are you in the area? If you have any information you want to share with the BBC you can do do using the form below: |
| You can send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. | You can send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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