Families forced out by chemical spill

Tuesday 11 January 2011

Families forced out by chemical spill

Residents were today allowed to return to their homes almost 20 hours after they were evacuated following a chemical spill.

Six houses were evacuated after the spillage on an industrial estate in Ayrshire around midday.

The A71 was also closed in both directions between Bellfield and Moorfield roundabouts near the Whitehill Industrial Estate in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.

Emergency services remained at the scene until 5am today including ambulance and fire crews. The alarm was raised following reports of a chemical release at Mahle Engine Systems UK Ltd. One resident said: “You could smell something when you got out of the car. “We were told to keep our windows closed.” Margo Janik, 32, was today allowed to return to her New Street flat after the road was reopened. She said: “A neighbour knocked on the door and said to keep the windows closed as there had been an ammonia leak. “Then 10 minutes later police came round and told us we had to leave. We didn’t have long to get our things together. “We waited around for about an hour, but were told we wouldn’t be getting in for a while. There were fire trucks everywhere and firefighters in special protective suits. “I’ve never been through anything like that before.” Today police officers were back at the scene while investigations were carried out at the site. Ambulance teams stood down shortly after 5am. Restrictions were lifted and residents were given the all clear, but many had sought alternative accommodation overnight and were expected to return to their homes later this morning. Police were contacted at around midday about the chemical release at the premises of Mahle Engineering Systems. Inspector Robert Smith, from Strathclyde Police, said: “No one was injured and there was no immediate danger to the general public at this time. “Residents in the vicinity of Hurlford Road, just near to Whitehill Industrial Estate, were warned to stay indoors where possible.”

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