Chemical leak alert

During the scare, a street was cordoned-off and three fire engines were called to J.W. Whewell in York Street after residents complained of a disinfectant smell.

But officers discovered a burst pipe in the roof of the warehouse. This had led to water flowing down from the roof. Some of the liquid cascaded into an empty drum and mixed with a residual chemical to give off the disinfectant smell.

Officers had to force their way through the locked main gate to get into the factory on Sunday night (June 15) before discovering the source of the leak.

Because of initial fears that the incident may have involved chemicals, two fire engines and an emergency salvage tender were called out.

Sub officer Michael Howard of Whitefield Fire Station said: "We found out that a cold water pipe in the roof of the warehourse had burst. Water then flowed from the roof and some of it went into the empty drum and then out of it. We believe the smell was given off because the liquid had mixed with the residual chemical in the drum."

As an initial precaution, and in keeping with set procedure, the street was cordoned-off. But this was later lifted.

Nearby resident Mrs Jacqui Phillips, whose home is 100 metres away from the factory, said: "I heard water running. At first, I thought it was someone using a hosepipe. When it continued for a couple of hours, I went outside because I was curious and the noise seemed louder."

Mrs Phillips was unable to get in touch with anyone at the premises and the fire brigade was called.

"I saw the water pour out of the building and there definitely was a smell of chemicals."