Homes evacuated after 'hazardous' substances found in flat as police swarm area

07 August 2023 , 18:51

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Homes evacuated after 'hazardous' substances found in flat as police swarm area

A flat has been found with "potentially hazardous substances" sparking the evacuation of around 100 local residents in Glasgow.

Police and other emergency services, including a bomb disposal unit, are in attendance at the property in Altyre Street, Shettleston, Glasgow. The discovery of the substances has led to Altyre Street, Dalness Street, Ard Street and Trainard Avenue being closed and local residents evacuated.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team are assisting the police and emergency services on site at Altyre Street.

Glasgow City Council has said that people have been taken to a rest centre set up at Tollcross International Swimming Centre while Police Scotland issued a statement that read: "Police and emergency services are in attendance at a flat in Altyre Street, Shettleston, Glasgow, following the discovery of potentially hazardous substances within. Altyre Street, Dalness Street, Ard Street and Trainard Avenue have been closed, and local residents have been evacuated as a precaution. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area. Enquiries into the incident are continuing."

Police and emergency services are in attendance at a flat in Altyre Street in Glasgow (Daniel Barclay)

A spokesperson for the council said: "We have been assisting the emergency services following the evacuation of residents from a number of flats in the Shettleston area. Up to 100 residents have been taken in at an emergency rest centre set up at Tollcross International Swimming Centre and we continue to liaise closely with colleagues in the emergency services. This is an on-going police incident and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

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A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said that HAZMAT units went to the scene. “We were alerted at 5.39pm on Monday, 7 August to reports of an incident involving suspected hazardous materials at a property on Altyre Street, Glasgow," they stated. "Operations Control mobilised a number of resources to the scene, including specialist HAZMAT units. Crews currently remain in attendance.”

Around 100 people have been evacuated (Gerry McHara/Reach PLC)

Following the police statement, Labour councillor Jill Pidgeon has urged locals to be safe and put her contact details out for anyone who needs help. In a tweet, she wrote: "Please stay safe - if you need anything or I can help, please contact me on 07795 922970 or at [email protected]."

Many people have taken to social media to enquire what is happening with people saying that the area is full of emergency service crews. A Facebook user wrote: "Just hope everyone's ok," and another said: "My daughter and kids have being put over to swimming just now don't know how long they'll be there for."

Chiara Fiorillo