EMERGENCY SERVICES attended Banham Poultry’s Attleborough poultry processing site after a chemical leak at the premesis hospitalised workers.
The East of England Ambulance Service was called to the site early on 4 August following reports of people experiencing breathing difficulties.
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A spokesman for the service said: “We were called to Station Road in Attleborough shortly after 9.30 am (04/08) following reports that people at a business premises were experiencing breathing difficulties.
“We sent various resources, including ambulances, ambulance officer vehicles and the hazardous area response team. Crews treated 14 patients at the scene and transferred 11 to hospital for further assessment and care.”
Norfolk’s fire service was also in attendance to minimise exposure and make the area safe, a council source said.
Banham Poultry has been contacted for comment.
Cause unknown
The firm’s managing director, Blaine van Rensburg, told the Eastern Daily Press efforts to establish the cause of the leak were ongoing.
“Emergency services have been on site since this morning to monitor the situation and to ensure safety,” he said on Wednesday afternoon.
“The specific area has been monitored and no chemical residues could be detected. Further monitoring is currently being conducted.
“The exact cause is unknown at this stage but is reported to be a reaction between cleaning chemicals. This is extremely unlikely as these solutions are used daily, without incident.”
