Plant is cleared in chemical alert

More than 50 members of staff had to be evacuated following a chemical scare at a waste treatment plant.

Firefighters were called to Veolia Environmental Services off Stubbers Green Road, Aldridge, at 11.50am yesterday.

A drum containing spray paint waste started to pressurise in the sunlight and released steam.

Veolia spokesman Martin Curtois said: "The drum was cooled by the fire brigade and moved to an external yard area shortly after which it was declared safe.

"Our 55 staff who had been evacuated at the start of the incident as a precaution returned to work. No-one was injured and the staff acted in an exemplary manner following all safety procedures at the site."

Firefighters from Walsall, Bloxwich and Sutton and specialist chemical crews from Wednesbury and Fallings Park attended.