Although the incident did not pose a major hazard to public health, the chemical had contaminated a number of vehicles which had driven through it overnight on Wednesday 1st April. The corrosive mixture could have damaged vehicles - and swift action was taken to trace and track down the vehicles.
This was a good example of the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum (BLLRF) team working together to contain a situation, said CFO Smith.
Incident details:
Date : Wednesday 1st April
Time of call : 07:59
Location : Explomould, MillLane, Arlesey
800 litre container of a caustic liquid leaked within company compound and out onto public highway.
Liquid was Alanbrite (trade name) which contains sulphuric, nitric and phophoricacid. Area cordoned off immediately upon arrival by Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service (BLFRS).
Firefighters from Shefford and Stopsley attended and a Hazardous Materials expert - a HAZMAT Fire Officer sent to the scene by BLFRS.
The liquid spill was contained by firefighters using absorbant materials and soda ash. Drains were covered to prevent any run-off into the drainage system. The Environment Agency were called to the scene to consider implications and on-going action.
BLFRS HAZMAT Officer liaised with the National Chemical Emergency Centre, and a specialist waste disposal company was called to the scene.
Adjacent to the Explomould property is a car depot. Vehicles had driven through the chemical spill before the leak was discovered. Bedfordshire Emergency Services liaised with agencies in Hertfordshire and London to trace the vehicles and ensure they were decontaminated (as the liquid could damage vehicle paintwork).