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| Blast fears at chemical fire site | Blast fears at chemical fire site |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of people have been told to leave their homes as emergency crews warned of possible explosions following a blaze at a chemical plant. | Hundreds of people have been told to leave their homes as emergency crews warned of possible explosions following a blaze at a chemical plant. |
| Up to 90 firefighters were tackling the blaze at Skymark in Southern Avenue, Leominster, Herefordshire. | Up to 90 firefighters were tackling the blaze at Skymark in Southern Avenue, Leominster, Herefordshire. |
| The plant contained gas cylinders which could "go off like an uncontrolled missile", fire chiefs said. | The plant contained gas cylinders which could "go off like an uncontrolled missile", fire chiefs said. |
| No casualties have been reported. A 400m exclusion zone was set up in the area and a refuge centre established. | No casualties have been reported. A 400m exclusion zone was set up in the area and a refuge centre established. |
| Fire crews reported "minor explosions", but it was not known if they were caused by butane canisters, a spokesman added. | Fire crews reported "minor explosions", but it was not known if they were caused by butane canisters, a spokesman added. |
| They said the two-storey building also contained a large quantity of chemicals and solvents. | They said the two-storey building also contained a large quantity of chemicals and solvents. |
| 'Uncontrolled missile' | |
| It is understood some 50,000 litres of chemicals together with a number of butane gas cylinders are at the site, which stores paints and plastics, 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, which stores paints and plastics, on the outskirts of Leominster. |
| The chemical causing the most concern was a type of isocyanate, which can be toxic and is commonly used in vehicle paint and can cause asthma. | The chemical causing the most concern was a type of isocyanate, which can be toxic and is commonly used in vehicle paint and can cause asthma. |
| It is not yet known what started the fire. | It is not yet known what started the fire. |
| A fire service spokesman said: "There were a number of butane gas cylinders in the premises and if they go off it is like an uncontrolled Exocet missile." | A fire service spokesman said: "There were a number of butane gas cylinders in the premises and if they go off it is like an uncontrolled Exocet missile." |
| The Met Office has advised the fire service about wind speed and direction | The Met Office has advised the fire service about wind speed and direction |
| The service, which has been tackling the blaze externally, added that a plume of black smoke carrying chemicals could be seen "for many miles away". | The service, which has been tackling the blaze externally, added that a plume of black smoke carrying chemicals could be seen "for many miles away". |
| Up to 200 people, who have been made to leave their homes, were taken to the refuge centre set up at a leisure centre in Bridge Street. | Up to 200 people, who have been made to leave their homes, were taken to the refuge centre set up at a leisure centre in Bridge Street. |
| The ambulance service said crews helped an elderly couple in wheelchairs and another elderly woman from their homes. | The ambulance service said crews helped an elderly couple in wheelchairs and another elderly woman from their homes. |
| People immediately outside the exclusion zone have been advised to stay indoors and close all windows and doors. | People immediately outside the exclusion zone have been advised to stay indoors and close all windows and doors. |
| The Minster College, Leominster Infants, Leominster Junior, Westfield Special and The Priory Pupil Referral unit schools were closed and A-level and GCSE examinations were cancelled. | The Minster College, Leominster Infants, Leominster Junior, Westfield Special and The Priory Pupil Referral unit schools were closed and A-level and GCSE examinations were cancelled. |
| Some medical appointments at Leominster Community Hospital have been postponed. | Some medical appointments at Leominster Community Hospital have been postponed. |
| Trains were unable to call at Leominster railway station and because of the severity of the fire, and there was no replacement road transport. | Trains were unable to call at Leominster railway station and because of the severity of the fire, and there was no replacement road transport. |
| 'Considerable number' | 'Considerable number' |
| Bus services have also been disrupted. | Bus services have also been disrupted. |
| Supt Kevin Purcell, from West Mercia Police, said: "There's some monitoring equipment going in in terms of keeping an eye on what chemicals are being released and what damage, if any, they will do into the local environment. | Supt Kevin Purcell, from West Mercia Police, said: "There's some monitoring equipment going in in terms of keeping an eye on what chemicals are being released and what damage, if any, they will do into the local environment. |
| "Public health are considering now in terms of the chemicals that were in the property that have been burnt and the issues around public health for that." | "Public health are considering now in terms of the chemicals that were in the property that have been burnt and the issues around public health for that." |
| The A49 was shut between the north roundabout, by the Fina petrol station, and the Worcester Road roundabout. | The A49 was shut between the north roundabout, by the Fina petrol station, and the Worcester Road roundabout. |
| The whole of Southern Avenue has been closed from the cemetery junction on the B4361 Hereford Road, through to Worcester Road roundabout. | The whole of Southern Avenue has been closed from the cemetery junction on the B4361 Hereford Road, through to Worcester Road roundabout. |
| Many roads have been closed following the fire | Many roads have been closed following the fire |
| Worcester Road in the town and Etnam Street to the South Street junction was also closed. | Worcester Road in the town and Etnam Street to the South Street junction was also closed. |
| The fire service was called at about 0330 BST on Wednesday and between 80 and 90 firefighters from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire were sent to the scene. | The fire service was called at about 0330 BST on Wednesday and between 80 and 90 firefighters from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire were sent to the scene. |
| A "very considerable number" would be here all day on Wednesday and into the night, the fire service said. | A "very considerable number" would be here all day on Wednesday and into the night, the fire service said. |
| It said the Environment Agency had been trying to prevent any spillage into nearby rivers and streams. | It 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: "About 5 o'clock this morning we heard just the odd emergency sound of an ambulance or something and it happened a few times. | Jim Melia, who lives near to the scene, said: "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." |
| Ian Baker, Herefordshire Council's emergency planning officer, said residents who were evacuated from their homes had been helping give out refreshments and the community spirit was "absolutely fantastic". | Ian Baker, Herefordshire Council's emergency planning officer, said residents who were evacuated from their homes had been helping give out refreshments and the community spirit was "absolutely fantastic". |
| 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. |
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