A critical incident was declared in Thetford, Norfolk on Tuesday with a ‘chemical incident’ at a cleaning factory which resulted in eight people being rushed to hospital
Eight people have been rushed to hospital following a ‘chemical incident’ at a cleaning factory, with workers reportedly ‘inhaling fumes’.
A critical incident was declared in Thetford, Norfolk on Tuesday morning with several ambulances called to a bleach and disinfectant factory on Brunel Way industrial estate. Emergency services responded to reports of people feeling unwell at 8.35am and 20 people were assessed at the scene by paramedics.
Seven women and one man were transported to West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds, for further care, a East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed. All those who were taken to hospital have since been discharged.
Witnesses reported seeing four ambulances, four paramedic cars and three Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles outside the factory as paramedics treated those who complained of feeling unwell. The incident reportedly took place at Easy Cleaning Solutions, a company that produces chemical cleaning products like bleach.
The company has both its headquarters and factory at the large site where it employs more than 200 people manufacturing products such as bleach, antiseptic and disinfectant. Previously known as Jeyes, the factory was evacuated in 2019 after a fire involving chemicals broke out, requiring dozens of firefighters to tackle the blaze.
A East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We sent four ambulances, four paramedic cars and three hazardous area response team vehicles to a commercial address in Thetford this morning following reports of people feeling unwell after inhaling fumes. 20 people were assessed at the scene, with eight people being transported to West Suffolk Hospital for further care.”
A Norfolk Police spokesperson said: “We were called at 8.35am today (November 19) to assist ambulance crews at a commercial premises on Brunel Way, Thetford, following reports of people feeling unwell after inhaling fumes. Eight people were taken to hospital for further treatment.”
A spokesperson for the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Today, we cared for eight patients who arrived at the West Suffolk Hospital following an incident in Thetford, who have now all been discharged. We thank our emergency department colleagues and public sector partners, particularly the East of England Ambulance Service, for their fast response which ensured that these patients were seen as quickly as possible.”
