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Station's fumes leak into houses Station's fumes leak into houses
(about 2 hours later)
An investigation into how fumes leaked from a petrol station into homes via the sewage system has been launched in East Lothian.An investigation into how fumes leaked from a petrol station into homes via the sewage system has been launched in East Lothian.
Several homes in North Berwick were filled with strong petrochemical vapours following the incident at a Tesco filling station on Tuesday.Several homes in North Berwick were filled with strong petrochemical vapours following the incident at a Tesco filling station on Tuesday.
One family was forced to move out while others were told to ventilate homes.One family was forced to move out while others were told to ventilate homes.
Tesco has apologised and environment officials and campaigners have been monitoring the situation.Tesco has apologised and environment officials and campaigners have been monitoring the situation.
Gay Aitken, 37, and her two children were advised to leave their home in Rhodes Park and were accommodated in a local hotel following the incident.Gay Aitken, 37, and her two children were advised to leave their home in Rhodes Park and were accommodated in a local hotel following the incident.
She said: "I opened the door to our house at about 1530 GMT on Tuesday and I was hit by this nauseating smell.She said: "I opened the door to our house at about 1530 GMT on Tuesday and I was hit by this nauseating smell.
The engineer checked a manhole in the street and it was just reeking of petrol and that's when he put two and two together. Gay Aitken,Mother-of-twoThe engineer checked a manhole in the street and it was just reeking of petrol and that's when he put two and two together. Gay Aitken,Mother-of-two
"I thought we had a gas leak but when the gas board came out they told me it was petrol."I thought we had a gas leak but when the gas board came out they told me it was petrol.
"The engineer checked a manhole in the street and it was just reeking of petrol and that's when he put two and two together.""The engineer checked a manhole in the street and it was just reeking of petrol and that's when he put two and two together."
Ms Aitken said she has been advised to watch out for symptoms including headaches, itchy eyes and respiratory problems.Ms Aitken said she has been advised to watch out for symptoms including headaches, itchy eyes and respiratory problems.
She said: "To know your house might blow up at any minute is unimaginable, I'm worn out, feel confused and upset about what will happen next about the problem as you can still smell the vapours in our house 24 hours later."She said: "To know your house might blow up at any minute is unimaginable, I'm worn out, feel confused and upset about what will happen next about the problem as you can still smell the vapours in our house 24 hours later."
Mother-of-two Lorna Bunney, 46, who lives in nearby Bensayers Park said: "The fumes in my house made my eyes nip.Mother-of-two Lorna Bunney, 46, who lives in nearby Bensayers Park said: "The fumes in my house made my eyes nip.
"I am angry about this situation because I called Tesco to explain what had happened and their duty manager had a very cavalier attitude.""I am angry about this situation because I called Tesco to explain what had happened and their duty manager had a very cavalier attitude."
Tesco is helping with an investigation into the leakTesco is helping with an investigation into the leak
Bryce Stewart, 39, a company director who also lives in Bensayers Park, said: "It is a real concern not just for the fumes which are in my house but for the environment as we don't know how much of this petrol has leaked into the soil and grade A agricultural land nearby."Bryce Stewart, 39, a company director who also lives in Bensayers Park, said: "It is a real concern not just for the fumes which are in my house but for the environment as we don't know how much of this petrol has leaked into the soil and grade A agricultural land nearby."
A spokesman for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said: "The source of this leak and quantity of petrol discharged is still being investigated.A spokesman for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said: "The source of this leak and quantity of petrol discharged is still being investigated.
"Local residents have been reassured that the petrol vapours pose little risk to public health and are advised to ventilate their homes."Local residents have been reassured that the petrol vapours pose little risk to public health and are advised to ventilate their homes.
"When Sepa attended the scene with the fire service, Scottish Water and East Lothian Council Trading Standards, the sheen associated with the petrol was visible in the public sewer which leads to North Berwick Treatment Works."When Sepa attended the scene with the fire service, Scottish Water and East Lothian Council Trading Standards, the sheen associated with the petrol was visible in the public sewer which leads to North Berwick Treatment Works.
'Neighbouring properties''Neighbouring properties'
"An investigation by all parties involved is ongoing.""An investigation by all parties involved is ongoing."
A Tesco spokesman, said: "We are sorry for the disruption. Tesco is working with the Health and Safety Executive and other relevant agencies to urgently investigate the incident at its North Berwick store.A Tesco spokesman, said: "We are sorry for the disruption. Tesco is working with the Health and Safety Executive and other relevant agencies to urgently investigate the incident at its North Berwick store.
"A minor leakage from the petrol filling station was detected and as a precautionary measure, the company closed the store and worked with the authorities to arrange a temporary evacuation of neighbouring properties, to ensure the safety of all in the vicinity.""A minor leakage from the petrol filling station was detected and as a precautionary measure, the company closed the store and worked with the authorities to arrange a temporary evacuation of neighbouring properties, to ensure the safety of all in the vicinity."
Tom Brock, Scottish Seabird Centre's chief executive, said: "We are concerned about any pollution.Tom Brock, Scottish Seabird Centre's chief executive, said: "We are concerned about any pollution.
"We have wildlife of international significance here. We are very concerned that pollution of this type has occurred and it is imperative that spills like this do not happen in the future.""We have wildlife of international significance here. We are very concerned that pollution of this type has occurred and it is imperative that spills like this do not happen in the future."