By Sheila Mckenzie
Schools across West Thurrock have been Purfleet, and Chafford Hundred close today, Tuesday January 7, as a precaution to prevent pupils from being exposed from the site which can be a minor irritant.
Belmont Castle Academy in Grays, Harris Chafford Hundred Academy and Tudor Court Primary, both in Chafford Hundred, have confirmed they are closed.
Rick Hylton, deputy chief fire officer, said it had been a “very complicated incident” but the leak was now contained.
He added it would be resolved in “hours and not days” as crews are working to reduce the gas cloud. A 100m exclusion zone has been set up around Stoneness Road in West Thurrock after the chemical incident relating to an industrial cylinder yesterday afternoon.
International Chemicals Group said the leak was from a hydrochloric acid storage facility at its Stoneness Avenue site. It said the leak had been contained and it was not aware of any casualties.
The school posted on Twitter: “Due to the major chemical incident in West Thurrock overnight we have been advised to close today, Tuesday 7th Jan, whilst they conduct tests of air quality around the vicinity of the school.
Ten crews attended from Grays, Orsett, Basildon, Rayleigh Weir, Corringham, Billericay and Wickford. The Environment Agency is on site and has deployed air quality monitoring equipment.
www.essex-fire.gov.uk