Environment Agency officers advising fire service on safe disposal of fire water to protect River Lugg.
Officers from Environment Agency Wales are working alongside the emergency services after a major fire broke out at a Herefordshire packaging plant in the early hours of this morning.
Chemicals on site at Skymark Packaging in Leominster are mixing in the heat of the blaze and causing toxic smoke, which has been drifting over the surrounding area. A number of gas canisters have also exploded.
Environment Agency staff and the Fire Service are working to contain water used to dowse the fire to make sure that the chemicals and solvents do not enter the drainage system. Once the water has been contained, it will be tankered away by a specialist contractor, analysed and disposed of safely.
The Environment Agency Air Quality Monitoring and Assessment Unit (AQMAU) has also deployed a mobile unit to measure the air quality in the area and assess wind direction and speed.
A 400-metre exclusion zone has been set up around the site and some residents living close to the factory have been evacuated. Residents living in the nearby vicinity have been asked to keep their windows and doors shut and a number of local schools have been closed for the day.
The Fire Service has 10 fire engines and an Environmental Protection Unit in attendance and is focused on cooling down a 55,000 gallon tanker of highly flammable solvent.
An Environment Agency spokesman said: "Water used to put out fires can be contaminated with all kinds of chemicals, especially from a site like this. Our officers have been working with the Fire Service to take every precaution using our specialist equipment to keep the ‘fire water’ out of local drains.
"The drains lead to the River Lugg which is why we have taken these steps to minimise the risk. The effect on local wildlife and water quality could be damaging.
"Our priority now is to monitor the local air quality and track the smoke plume so we can assist the Emergency Services with any action they need to take. A Silver Command room has been set up at Leominster Police Station and Environment Agency staff are working with the Silver Command to advise and assist as necessary."
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