https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/toxic-chemical-spill-exeter-laboratory-8709071

Toxic chemical spill at Exeter laboratory sparks emergency response

Hazmat advisors were at the scene

Crews from Newton Abbot Fire Station were called to a laboratory in Exeter this week following a 'toxic and harmful' chemical spill. Fire fighters rushed to the scene on Saturday night (August 26) with crews claiming it to be the second large-scale decontamination incident of the week.
Crews from Newton Abbot, Danes Castle and Middlemoor Fire Stations all raced to the incident alongside the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) where chemicals had either been spilled or had dangerously degraded over time.Due to the risk the chemicals imposed, Hazmat officers entered the building to assess the danger of the chemicals. Teams entered the building in full safety kit before they were decontaminated using a mass decontamination unit - which is essentially a large shower.

Thankfully, all areas and liquids have now been made safe and present no further hazards.

In a full statement on its Facebook page, a Newton Abbot fire spokesperson wrote: "Yesterday evening, one appliance from Newton Abbot fire station, as well as our EPU (Environmental Protection Unit), was mobilised alongside our colleagues from Danes Castle and Middlemoor fire stations. This would end up with us attending our second large-scale decontamination incident of the week."Crews initially all met at Middlemoor fire station, so we could be briefed on the incident prior to relocating to the Heavitree area of Exeter for deployment.

Several of the chemicals within the building had been damaged (Image: Newton Abbot Fire Station)

"The incident information we had was that an old laboratory in the area, which has since been closed, may have been involved in a quantity of various chemicals being spilt, or that have dangerously degraded over time. Due to the toxic and harmful nature of these chemicals, it was the decision of our Hazmat advisors that crews would commit into the building. "This was in order to assess the damage and situation of some of the more volatile chemicals and see if they would pose a threat to any members of the public.

"In order for crews to be protected, two teams entered the building wearing full structural fire kit as well as BA ( Breathing Apparatus ) with a GTS (Gas Tight Suit) over all of it to provide them with maximum protection. They also took with them a variety of gas monitoring and detection equipment to help identify any leaks or vapours.

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