'Orange smoke' seen pouring from Billingham manufacturing plant following 'loud bang'

'Orange smoke' seen pouring from Billingham manufacturing plant following 'loud bang'

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GB News
Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 24/05/2024

- 13:56

Updated: 24/05/2024

- 15:39

Residents in the area reported hearing a warning siren

A cloud of orange smoke has been spotted pouring from a factory in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees after residents heard a "loud bang".

Emergency services attended the site of a fertiliser company in Haverton Hill following reports of an industrial incident.


Pictures online show a plume of orange smoke spilling into the sky.

Residents in the surrounding area described hearing a "loud bang" which "sounded like a plane".

Orange smokeA cloud of orange smoke has been spotted pouring from a factory in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees after residents believed a "loud bang"Lynsey Fleming

Cleveland Police confirmed there was a gas leak at the site but said there were no injuries or wider risk to the public.

A spokesperson said: "Emergency services have attended the site of a fertiliser company in Haverton Hill this lunchtime after reports of an industrial incident involving the small release of a gas from the facility.

"This is now dissipating, and the incident is beginning to stand down.

"There are no reports of any injuries to anyone and there are no off-site implications or further risk to the public."

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Two fire engines from Stockton Fire Station attended the scene and stood down just after 1pm.

A spokesperson said: "Cleveland Fire Brigade were called to an incident on 24/05/24 at 12.28pm on a site in Haverton Hill after reports of an industrial incident involving the small release of a gas from the facility.

"There has been assurance that the release of the gas quickly dispersed within the atmosphere resulting in no off-site implications for members of the public."

It follows a similar leak in May 2018 which saw the same orange-coloured cloud in the sky.

Stockton smoke

Two fire engines from Stockton Fire Station attended the scene and stood down just after 1pm

Lynsey Fleming

An investigation was carried out by the Environment Agency following the incident.

The Government said it was caused by an "unexpected failure" of equipment at a facility which "could not have prevented" the explosion.

At the time, the firm said an "automatic safety device" had been activated.

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