Major incident declared following Trafford Park chemical leak
One person has been taken to hospital following the incident this morning.
Last updated 4th Mar 2024
An investigation is underway following a chemical leak at a business on Trafford Park which prompted a major incident response from emergency services.
LanXess Solutions confirmed phosphorous oxychloride was leaked at the premises on Tenax Road during the unloading of a supplier's tanker just before 9am.
Earlier, around 20 people were being held in a 'safe room' inside the building, who have since been released.
A 300m cordon was placed around the site and people within it were urged to keep windows and doors closed as crews worked to make the area safe.
The leaked chemical is a known explosion hazard and those exposed to it could suffer nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, weakness and loss of appetite. In extreme cases, phosphorous oxychloride is also known to cause kidney damage.
The North West Ambulance Service says more a dozen people have been assessed at the site and one person has been taken to hospital for further treatment.
See the latest updates on the situation below:
LanXess launch investigation into chemical leak.
The chemical firm at the centre of today's major incident has released a statement setting out its intention to thoroughly investigate the chemical leak.
Eddie Palmer, plant manager at LanXess Trafford Park, says: “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.”
At around 9 o'clock this morning, a chemical spilled during the unloading of a tanker truck. Emergency services arrived at the site shortly after to work with the site and contain the spillage. The leak was contained and stopped by late morning.
To ensure the safety of all employees, the site was evacuated and one person was taken to hospital for observation as a precaution.
Major incident stood down.
The police and the ambulance service say they have now stood down their major incident responses to the chemical leak in Trafford Park.
A statement from GMP reads: "Shortly after 2pm today, Greater Manchester Police lifted cordons on several roads surrounding a business premises on Tenax Road in Trafford Park which were put in place this morning as part of a response to a major incident involving hazardous materials.
"Officers working alongside Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service colleagues and North West Ambulance Service contained a chemical leak within the industrial site where it will be safely dissipated."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the North West Ambulance Service said: "We can confirm that we have de-escalated from a Major Incident after a chemical leak at an industrial site on Tenax Road, Trafford Park, Manchester.
"Resources were scaled back to support the ongoing operation by Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service however, the incident has now closed down with all NWAS resources leaving site.
"Our protocols require us to deploy enough vehicles to support a large-scale incident; fortunately, they weren’t required on this occasion. One patient has been taken to hospital for further assessment.
"The risk to the public from the leak has been determined to be low; however, if anyone in the local area suffers symptoms including breathlessness, wheezing or bluing of the lips and fingers, you are advised to seek medical help via NHS 111 online – 111.nhs.uk.
"We want to thank the local community for their patience while emergency services continue to deal with the situation."
The firm involved, LanXess, tell us the leak happened while a tanker truck was being unloaded:
"During the unloading of a supplier's tanker truck, a chemicals leak occurred on the factory premises in Trafford Park, Manchester at around 9 am on March 4. Meanwhile, the leakage has been stopped.
"The leaked substance is phosphorus oxychloride.
"Residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed."
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) spokesperson said they were called just before 9am:
"12 fire engines from across Greater Manchester were called to reports of a suspected chemical incident at an industrial site on Tenax Road, Trafford Park."
"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are working alongside site staff and other emergency services to contain the incident and keep the area safe.
An update from North West Ambulance Service said they've treated more than a dozen people:
"At 09.30 this morning, following reports of a chemical leak at an industrial site on Tenax Road, Trafford Park, Manchester, North West Ambulance Service enacted its major incident protocol and sent multiple resources to the scene. This includes its Hazardous Area Response Team and Operational Commanders.
"Very quickly, we have been able to account for all potential patients, assessing more than a dozen people. Nobody has required further treatment."
Greater Manchester Police are also at the scene, and have described it as a major incident:
'At around 9am today (Monday 4 March 2024), GMP received reports of a hazmat incident at a business premises on Tenax Road in Trafford Park.
'Officers are currently at the scene along with colleagues from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service.
'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 number of surrounding roads have been closed as a precaution.'