Huge chemical spill at paint factory

45 firefighters and eight appliances from Stowmarket, Elmswell, Bury St Edmunds, Ixworth and Ipswich attended an incident at PPG Industries UK paint factory when thousands of litres of flammable solvent leaked from a reactor vessel.

Mark Sanderson from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews have been on site since 2pm and have laid a blanket of foam over a quantity of spilled solvent. This escaped from a reactor vessel. Crews have covered an area approximately half the size of a football pitch with foam, which is designed …to prevent flammable vapours from being released. The leak has been stopped and ignition sources in the area have been isolated.”

Ian Bowell from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service added: “This incident has been contained on site thanks to the work of the on-site staff at PPG and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. During the incident we have worked closely with the Environment Agency and are pleased to say that all internal drainage systems have done their job containing any contaminated water on site for removal at a later date. Once again we would like to thank all involved for their co-operation during this prolonged and at times complex incident.”