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Public warned over Esso oil spill Public warned over Esso oil spill
(40 minutes later)
Residents have been told to stay away from contaminated beachesResidents have been told to stay away from contaminated beaches
Oil has been washing on to two miles (3.2km) of Hampshire coastline after a pipeline leaked in Southampton Water.Oil has been washing on to two miles (3.2km) of Hampshire coastline after a pipeline leaked in Southampton Water.
About 20 barrels of vacuum gas oil were spilled at Esso's Fawley terminal on Sunday night as a ship was unloaded.About 20 barrels of vacuum gas oil were spilled at Esso's Fawley terminal on Sunday night as a ship was unloaded.
Affected beaches from Hill Head to Solent Breezes have been closed and people told to stay away. Affected beaches from Hill Head to Solent Breezes have been closed and people told to stay out of the water.
An Esso spokesman said health risks were "very, very low" and the oil was only a "potential carcinogen" to people with repeated, prolonged exposure.An Esso spokesman said health risks were "very, very low" and the oil was only a "potential carcinogen" to people with repeated, prolonged exposure.
Esso said the unloading was immediately stopped on Sunday night and it was working to clean up the spill.Esso said the unloading was immediately stopped on Sunday night and it was working to clean up the spill.
Booms were used to try to contain the spill within the marine terminal. Booms were used to try to contain the oil within the terminal.
Fareham Borough Council's executive leader, Sean Woodward, said emergency planners from the borough and county councils were due to meet with Esso on Monday evening. The firm met with emergency planners from the borough and county councils, the Environment Agency and Natural England on Monday evening to discuss the clean-up.
"It's not your traditional black oil slick," he said, speaking from the scene. Fareham Borough Council's executive leader Sean Woodward, who attended, said: "It's not your traditional black oil slick.
"It's vacuum gas oil, a pale brown stain, all the way along the beach."It's vacuum gas oil, a pale brown stain, all the way along the beach.
"It's quite extensive. The oil is certainly hazardous.""It's quite extensive. The oil is certainly hazardous."
He said about 50 people working at the coastline had been "pulled off a little earlier this afternoon to get the appropriate clothing". He said about 50 people working at the coastline had been taken off duty "to get the appropriate clothing".
"I didn't realise we were dealing with such a toxic compound," he said. "I didn't realise we were dealing with such a toxic compound."
A section of beach from Hill Head Sailing Club to Mean Shore was closed at about 1530 BST and signs erected, but some people have criticised the clean-up response. He said because the area was a site of special scientific Interest, the clean-up would involve bagging contaminated shingle after each high tide and sending it away to be cleaned, before returning it to the same place.
"Esso have said they will not leave until we are happy - obviously we will be sending them the bill," he said.
Dogs 'contaminated'Dogs 'contaminated'
Allan Boutcher said his dogs had been "contaminated with oil from the spill" after he took them for a walk near Solent Breezes on Monday morning. A section of beach from Hill Head Sailing Club to Mean Shore was closed at about 1530 BST and signs erected, but some people have criticised the clean-up response.
He said he did not see any oil, but "immediately smelled a very strong smell of either diesel fuel or heavy oil fuel". Allan Boutcher said his dogs had been contaminated with oil from the spill when he took them for a walk near Solent Breezes on Monday morning.
At the time, no signs had been put up to warn people, he added. At the time, no signs had been put up to warn people, he said.
Fareham Borough Council said it was informed by Esso of the spill at 0800 BST on Monday.Fareham Borough Council said it was informed by Esso of the spill at 0800 BST on Monday.
A spokeswoman said the council was watching to see if more oil was washed ashore after the tide turned, "we'll have to wait and see", she said.
A boom is on standby near the entrance of the River Hamble and another boom is already in place at Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve, with pumps on standby, Mr Woodward said.A boom is on standby near the entrance of the River Hamble and another boom is already in place at Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve, with pumps on standby, Mr Woodward said.
Earlier, an Esso spokesman said: "We immediately deployed our local oil spill response procedures and informed the harbour master and the relevant environmental agencies. Esso said it apologised for the "regrettable incident".
"We regret to report that some oil was found on the shore at Warsash and we have informed Fareham Borough Council of the situation. "We are working with the local authorities concerned, to clear up the oil as quickly as possible.
"Arrangements are currently under way to initiate a clean up." "We continue to work with the Harbour Master and are diligently checking surrounding areas," it said in a statement.