Staff unharmed in fire at chemical plant

STAFF at a solvent recycling plant in Westbury were given the all-clear after four chemical drums caught fire on the site recently.

Firefighters were called to Absolute Solvents on Brook Lane at 9.28am on Thursday 30th June. Six fire engines attended from Westbury, Trowbridge, Warminster (two), Frome and Melksham. They were supported by the heavy rescue unit from Trowbridge, a water carrier from Wilton and an incident command vehicle from Devizes.

The fire was contained within a processing building, with four 200 litre chemical drums affected. The fire started via self-combustion, due to a reaction of chemicals within the drums during a process to separate out recyclable material. Six personnel from Absolute Solvents received precautionary medical attention from South Western Ambulance Service on site but did not require any treatment. Colleagues from Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council, Public Health England and the Environment Agency also supported the incident to minimise risk to the public.