Manchester police order urgent lockdown over 'hazmat incident' as locals told to stay indoors
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were at the scene of the chemical leak
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Police have declared a "major incident" following reports of a hazardous chemical gas leak in Manchester's Trafford Park.
Numerous vehicles from all three emergency services are at the scene by chemical firm Lanxess on Tenax Road, a stretch of which has been closed off, with a 300m cordon in place.
An ambulance spokesperson said a "large number of resources" had been called, while a fire department spokesperson said firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were also at the scene.
"We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services," the fire spokesperson added.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service posted this warning online to residents and businesses in the surrounding area
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
A Greater Manchester Police statement said: "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 North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) spokesperson said: "At 9.30am this morning, following reports of a chemical leak at an industrial site on Tenax Road, Trafford Park, Manchester, NWAS enacted its major incident protocol and sent multiple resources to the scene.
"This includes its Hazardous Area Response Team and Operational Commanders.
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"Very quickly, we have been able to account for all potential patients, assessing more than a dozen people. Nobody has required further treatment.
"Residents and businesses are being advised to keep all windows and doors closed while emergency services work to contain the situation."
Lanxess is a German specialty chemicals firm and currently operates the site in Trafford Park, which has been open since 1939.
A spokesperson from the firm told GB News the chemical leak has been stopped.
A later Lanxess statement said: “The safety of our employees and local residents is our top priority. We have started to investigate the incident thoroughly and regret the inconvenience caused.”
The chemical in question was phosphorous oxychloride, commonly used in flame retardants, which had leaked during the unloading of a supplier's tanker truck this morning.
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