Hospital evacuated after chemical alert
A chemical drama led to the evacuation of a Wolverhampton hospital. A spillage of formaldehyde solution at the private Nuffield Hospital saw all "non-essential" staff told to leave the building along with visitors and out-patients.
A chemical drama led to the evacuation of a Wolverhampton hospital. A spillage of formaldehyde solution at the private Nuffield Hospital saw all "non-essential" staff told to leave the building along with visitors and out-patients.
Fire crews from Tettenhall and Wolverhampton were sent to the Wood Road hospital along with a hazardous substances unit yesterday after receiving a call at 4.15pm.
The five-litre spill happened in a first floor store room. Crews wearing chemical protection suits were called in.
They cleaned up the liquid and a hazardous substances officer was sent for to check the area was safe.
Operations continued throughout the drama.
A statement from West Midlands Fire Service said: "All non-essential personnel were evacuated from the building, although operations were continuing in the operating theatres."
Firefighter Ryan Grundy confirmed the spill had been dealt with by 6pm but crews returned to the scene at 8.30pm to inspect the spillage area as a precaution.
Hospital spokesman Matt De Leon said today the spill triggered an alarm which automatically calls the fire service, and that it was standard procedure to evacuate out-patients and staff in such situations.
All in-patients remained in the hospital.
He added the spill happened in an area that was closed to the public and the substance, which is used as a preserving agent, was thought to have leaked from a container rather than from any error by staff.
Mr De Leon said: "We would like to apologise to everyone that was evacuated from the area and thank them for their co-operation.
"We would also like to thank the fire brigade for their quick response and professionalism."
There was another chemical drama in the city back in March this year when a suspicious powder brought Royal Mail delivery and sorting office to a standstill.
No-one was allowed in or out of the city's Sun Street mail centre, which deals with more than 13 million items per week, after a suspicious powder spilled out of a package.
Three workers also had to be decontaminated as a precaution and eventually it was believed the substance discovered was a type of aluminium sulphate.
