Update 5am – message from Thurrock Council
School closures
It has been recommended that schools in West Thurrock, Purfleet and Chafford Hundred remain closed on Tuesday 7 January as a precaution to prevent pupils from being exposed to fumes coming from the site which can be a minor irritant.
Check school websites and social media to find out if your child’s school is affected.
Update 11pm – OVERNIGHT STATEMENT
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents in the Thurrock area to continue following safety advice following a chemical leak at an industrial site.
Neil Fenwick, Area Manager, said: “This incident is likely to run throughout the night and into Tuesday morning, so please continue to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed.
“Before starting your journey in the morning, please check for further advice and allow additional time for a road closure on Oliver Road that will likely still be in place.
“Thank you to local residents for their patience and support while emergency services continue to manage this incident.”
Please keep doors and windows closed if you live nearby. If you’re in a car or lorry in the area, keep your air conditioning turned off. If you have existing respiratory problems, keep medication with you and if you feel unwell call 111.
Full details of this incident are available on our website: essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents
Update: 2115 hrs
Statement
Neil Fenwick, Area Manager at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, is currently at the scene and has said: “We understand that the cloud includes an amount of hydrocholoric acid.
“A 100 metre exclusion zone was created at the site earlier today as a precautionary measure.
“We now know that these fumes were caused by a tank that has failed, the leak is contained to within the site.
“Firefighters are now safely managing the leak and this process is expected to continue for some time.
“Six crews took over the incident at 8.30pm from the crews who initially attended.
“Emergency services are working hard to make the area safe again as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience. Road closures around the site continue to remain in place.
“If you live nearby, it is absolutely vital that you stay inside and keep all windows and doors closed.”
Update 6.30pm
Firefighters are continuing to work alongside other emergency services at the scene. The 100 metre exclusion zone remains in place along with road closures in the area.
Please avoid the area. If you live nearby, stay inside and close all windows and doors.
1800 hrs
From Essex Fire Service
“We are currently at the scene of a chemical incident in Stoneness Road, West Thurrock.
Control operators received reports of a cloud of fumes this afternoon following a reaction involving an industrial cylinder.
Emergency services are working together at the scene. Firefighters are using a hazardous materials unit as part of work to establish the chemicals involved.
A 100 metre exclusion zone has been set up, as is standard for incidents of this type.
If you live in the area, please keep your doors and windows closed and stay inside.
Several roads are also closed nearby while emergency services manage the incident.
Please avoid the area.
1700 hrs
Statement by Essex Fire and Rescue
“We’re currently at the scene of a large incident in West Thurrock.
“Please avoid the area and if you live in West Thurrock, please close all windows and doors.”
YT believes the incident is close to the Oliver Road area.
More follows
