FORTY firefighters were called to deal with a chemical leak at a Luton sandwich factory on Saturday morning.
The incident occurred at Hain Celestial’s premises (formerly Daily Bread Ltd) in Britannia Estates, Leagrave Road, when a quantity of sodium hypochlorite leaked from a container, at around 8.30 a.m.
Five fire appliances and a number of specialist support vehicles from Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Services (BLFRS) were sent to the scene, together with the ambulance service and police.
Workers in the sandwich making plant and adjacent factory units on Britannia Estate were evacuated and Leagrave Road was closed as emergency crews arrived to deal with the spillage. No local residents were evacuated.
Representatives from the Environment Agency and Thames Water also attended the scene as there were concerns that the chemical, a bleach, which had entered the on site drainage system, might enter the water courses, if not contained.
However, firefighters wearing chemical protection suits and breathing apparatus quickly contained the spillage, limiting the quantity of chemical entering the water courses, isolated the drains and diluted the leakage to safe levels. Fire crews used special pumping equipment to recover the sodium hypochlorite that had leaked – thought to be about 400 litres.
BLFRS then used its specialist portable equipment to decontaminate crews involved in dealing with the spillage.
Area Commander Dave Fothergill, BLFRS’s incident commander, praised the actions of the fire crews and other agencies involved. He said: “This was potentially a complex incident. However we do prepare for situations such as this, and have the necessary equipment and expertise to deal with incidents involving hazardous materials.”
“The co-operation of the company’s staff on site, and its directors, was excellent, helping to ensure the safety of its workers, and assisting us with our operation to contain the spillage and make the area safe.”
“The representatives from the Environment Agency and Thames Water provided specialist advice, which also assisted us, and the East of England Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team was soon on site; however, there were no casualties.”
The incident was declared under control by 10.30am, and fire crews remained on site into the afternoon, making the area safe, before handing the premises back to the owners.