Chemical scare affects city centre

The centre of Salisbury was affected yesterday afternoon (29 December) after a chemical incident in Catherine Street.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service was called to a building housing a charity shop and a dental repairs business after a quantity of methyl methacrylate was accidentally spilt into the drains and then mixed with bleach.

Environmental Health Officers from Salisbury District Council initially went to the scene and then called for assistance from the Fire & Rescue Service at around 3.20pm.

Crews from Salisbury and Wilton, supported by specialist units from Devizes and Warminster, attended and Catherine Street was closed while investigations were carried out.

Following approval from Wessex Water and the Environment Agency, water was used to flush out the drains while mechanical ventilation was used to clear the building of residual fumes. Firefighters remained at the scene until about 6pm.

BACK