Location: St. Helens
Fire crews were called to Alfred Street, St. Helens on Thursday 21st August after reports of drums of unknown chemicals abandoned in an alleyway. Crews were alerted at 3.50pm and on scene at 3.55pm, with two fire engines in attendance.
Fire crews arrived to find five forty-five gallon containers which were identified as insulation foam in liquid form, with some leakage into the roadway but not entering the drains. Cordons were put in place, with Merseyside Police also in attendance.
Firefighters checked the leak with a thermal imaging camera which showed normal levels of heat from the substance. An MFRS officer with a Hazardous Materials specialism in attendance advised the deployment of a specialist absorbent material and mats around the leak to prevent any leakage into the drain system.
Residents on either side of the alley were advised to keep doors and windows closed until the product was removed from the roadway.
The incident was handed over to police to manage the cordon and St. Helens council to arrange the clean-up of the spillage. Crews left the scene at 5.10pm.