04 March 2024 , 11:01
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Residents have been urged to close their windows following reports of a chemical leak in Manchester's Trafford Park.
Police rushed to the scene after they were alerted to a "hazmat incident" on Tenax Road at around 9am this morning. Officers have set up a huge 300m cordon in the area in response to the incident. Locals and businesses have been warned to keep their doors shut whilst authorities work to contain the issue. Firefighters have confirmed they are responding to concerns of a possible leak of phosphorus oxychloride.
According to reports, Lanxess Solutions has been plunged into lockdown as emergency teams work at the scene. On its website, the company's description reads: "Lanxess is a worldwide leading manufacturer of biocidal active ingredients and formulations and offers a wide range of products for many different applications."
Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service and the North West Ambulance Service have both declared a major incident. The fire service issued a statement on Twitter and said: "Multiple fire engines are currently at the scene of an incident on Tenax Road in Trafford Park. Residents and businesses in the surrounding area are advised to keep windows and doors closed and avoid the scene while crews carry out their work."
Emergency services surrounding the sceneA spokesperson for the North West Ambulance Service confirmed that they launched a "major incident protocol and sent multiple resources to the scene". This includes its Hazardous Area Response Team and Operational Commanders. They said: "Following reports of a chemical leak in the Trafford Park area of Manchester, we have dispatched a large number of resources to the scene. We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services." They added: "Very quickly, we have been able to account for all potential patients, assessing more than a dozen people. Nobody has required further treatment."
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A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) spokesperson said: "Just before 9am this morning (March 4), 12 fire engines from across Greater Manchester were called to reports of a suspected chemical incident at an industrial site on Tenax Road, Trafford Park. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are working alongside site staff and other emergency services to contain the incident and keep the area safe. Crews remain in attendance at this time. Properties in the area are advised to keep their windows and doors closed and avoid the scene while crews carry out their work."
Emergency services rushed to Trafford Park this morning (Men Media)Pictures that have emerged online show firefighters, police officers and paramedics in attendence. It has been reported that there is a "heavy" presence from emergency services, reports Manchester Evening News. A police spokesperson said the Metrolink ( tram service ) nearby is also disrupted due to the incident. Locals were first alerted to the incident after hearing sirens close-by. One person said on Twitter: "We went past as the sirens were going off and it's at LANXESS. 4 ambulances, closed road and blue TAU van on site. Looks like a possible chemical spill." Another person said: "Avoid Trafford park. Major road closures. Seen 10+ police car and similar amount of ambulances."
People have been urged to keep their windows closed nearby (Men Media)
There are numerous chemicals on site (Men Media)Police spokesperson said: "At around 9am today ( March 4), GMP received reports of a hazmat incident at a business premises on Tenax Road in Trafford Park. Officers are currently at the scene along with colleagues from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service. There has been no reported injuries and everyone at the business premises has been accounted for. A 300m cordon is currently in place with residents and business being advised on health grounds to close all doors and windows while investigations continue. A number of surrounding roads have been closed as a precaution."
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) advised members of the public to avoid the area. They tweeted: "Residents and businesses in the Trafford Park area are being advised to keep windows and doors closed as ( firefighters ) attend an incident on Tenax Road. Please avoid the scene at this time." According to Greatest Hits Radio Manchester News, the chemical leak happened during the uploading of a supplier's tanker.
The ambulance service dispatched a large amount of resources (MEN Media)Greater Manchester Police confirmed that lifted cordons on several roads at around 2pm. Members of the public can now resume their day as the issue has been contained. The North West Ambulance Service issued an update and said the "incident has now closed down". They said: "We can confirm that we have deescalated from a Major Incident after a chemical leak at an industrial site on Tenax Road, Trafford Park, Manchester. Resources were scaled back to support the ongoing operation by Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. However, the incident has now closed down with all NWAS resources leaving site.
"One patient has been taken to hospital for further assessment. The risk to the public from the leak has been determined to be low; however, if anyone in the local area suffers symptoms including breathlessness, wheezing or bluing of the lips and fingers, you are advised to seek medical help via 111 online. We want to thank the local community for their patience while emergency services continue to deal with the situation."