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Chemical reaction closes A&E unit Chemical reaction closes A&E unit
(about 1 hour later)
A hospital's accident and emergency department was closed for seven hours to decontaminate 30 patients and fire crews following a chemical incident.A hospital's accident and emergency department was closed for seven hours to decontaminate 30 patients and fire crews following a chemical incident.
Staff at an animal feed site in Burton-on-Trent, Staffs, became contaminated with calcium oxide which can cause breathing difficulties.Staff at an animal feed site in Burton-on-Trent, Staffs, became contaminated with calcium oxide which can cause breathing difficulties.
Bosses at Queen's Hospital in Burton decided to close the A&E unit to new admissions as a precaution.Bosses at Queen's Hospital in Burton decided to close the A&E unit to new admissions as a precaution.
Three people remained in hospital but were not thought to be seriously ill. Three people remain in hospital. Their condition is described as stable.
The incident began when staff turned up for work at the Rumenco factory in Derby Road and were overcome by fumes.The incident began when staff turned up for work at the Rumenco factory in Derby Road and were overcome by fumes.
Chemical reactionChemical reaction
A spokeswoman for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue said it appeared that the day before some chemicals had become mixed together which caused a reaction, leading to a fire in the dust unit.A spokeswoman for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue said it appeared that the day before some chemicals had become mixed together which caused a reaction, leading to a fire in the dust unit.
Eight staff were taken to the Queen's Hospital.Eight staff were taken to the Queen's Hospital.
A hospital spokeswoman said: "We had to stop any of these people who had been contaminated from contaminating any more people so we closed the unit to new admissions in the patients' interest."A hospital spokeswoman said: "We had to stop any of these people who had been contaminated from contaminating any more people so we closed the unit to new admissions in the patients' interest."
Emergency cases were redirected to the City Hospital in Derby while the unit was closed.Emergency cases were redirected to the City Hospital in Derby while the unit was closed.
Fire crews were still on site at Rumenco on Thursday afternoon, making sure equipment was properly cleaned.Fire crews were still on site at Rumenco on Thursday afternoon, making sure equipment was properly cleaned.