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West Thurrock chemical leak: Schools and roads closed West Thurrock chemical leak: Schools and roads closed
(about 1 hour later)
Schools have been closed and an exclusion zone is in place after a chemical leak saw clouds of hydrochloric acid form in the sky.Schools have been closed and an exclusion zone is in place after a chemical leak saw clouds of hydrochloric acid form in the sky.
Essex Fire and Rescue Service set up a 100-metre exclusion zone after the leak at International Chemicals Group Limited, West Thurrock, on Monday.Essex Fire and Rescue Service set up a 100-metre exclusion zone after the leak at International Chemicals Group Limited, West Thurrock, on Monday.
Residents have been advised to keep their doors and windows closed and to remain inside. Residents have been advised to keep their doors and windows closed.
The leak was caused by a tank that failed, the fire service said. Fifteen firefighters were treated in hospital as "a precautionary measure" the fire service said.
The leak was caused by a tank that failed, it said.
People are being asked to avoid the area and Stoneness and Oliver Road remain closed.People are being asked to avoid the area and Stoneness and Oliver Road remain closed.
The fire service has recommended that schools in West Thurrock, Purfleet and Chafford Hundred remain closed as "as a precaution to prevent pupils from being exposed to fumes coming from the site which can be a minor irritant". The fire service recommended that schools in West Thurrock, Purfleet and Chafford Hundred stay shut as "as a precaution to prevent pupils from being exposed to fumes coming from the site which can be a minor irritant".
Belmont Castle Academy in Grays, Harris Chafford Hundred Academy and Tudor Court Primary, both in Chafford Hundred, have confirmed they are closed. Belmont Castle Academy in Grays, Harris Chafford Hundred Academy and Tudor Court Primary, both in Chafford Hundred, confirmed they are closed.
Rick Hylton, deputy chief fire officer, said it had been a "very complicated incident" but the leak was now contained. Rick Hylton, deputy chief fire officer, said it was a "very complicated incident" but the leak was now contained.
He added it would be resolved in "hours and not days" as crews are working to reduce the gas cloud. "As a precautionary measure 15 firefighters were transported to local hospitals overnight and following assessment were released shortly after," he said.
International Chemicals Group said the leak was from a chemical storage facility at its Stoneness Avenue site. He said it would be resolved in "hours and not days" as crews were working to reduce the gas cloud.
Industrial Chemicals Group said the leak was from a chemical storage facility at its Stoneness Avenue site.
Managing director Edwin Strang said a failure with pipework resulted in three tanks discharging hydrochloric acid into a bunded area, created to protect the environment.Managing director Edwin Strang said a failure with pipework resulted in three tanks discharging hydrochloric acid into a bunded area, created to protect the environment.
He apologised for the inconvenience caused, said an investigation had begun and "corrective action" would be taken.He apologised for the inconvenience caused, said an investigation had begun and "corrective action" would be taken.
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At the sceneAt the scene
By Chris Flynn, BBC NewsBy Chris Flynn, BBC News
Lorries and people who work within the site are being prevented from entering the site and being moved on as they stop on the roundabout which leads to Stoneness Road.Lorries and people who work within the site are being prevented from entering the site and being moved on as they stop on the roundabout which leads to Stoneness Road.
It is unclear how long this closure will remain in place but workers from businesses on site have been telling me they are going home until they receive further updates.It is unclear how long this closure will remain in place but workers from businesses on site have been telling me they are going home until they receive further updates.
The advice from the fire service from locals is to stay indoors with windows and doors closed and to call 111 if you feel unwell.The advice from the fire service from locals is to stay indoors with windows and doors closed and to call 111 if you feel unwell.
Neil Fenwick, area manager for the fire service, said: "We understand that the cloud includes an amount of hydrochloric acid.Neil Fenwick, area manager for the fire service, said: "We understand that the cloud includes an amount of hydrochloric acid.
"We now know that these fumes were caused by a tank that has failed, the leak is contained to within the site.""We now know that these fumes were caused by a tank that has failed, the leak is contained to within the site."
Ten crews attended from Grays, Orsett, Basildon, Rayleigh Weir, Corringham, Billericay and Wickford.Ten crews attended from Grays, Orsett, Basildon, Rayleigh Weir, Corringham, Billericay and Wickford.
The Environment Agency is on site and has deployed air quality monitoring equipment.The Environment Agency is on site and has deployed air quality monitoring equipment.