Achi news desk-
A plume of bright orange smoke was the sight for many Billingham residents this afternoon (May 24) who saw the cloud after a fire broke out at CF Fertilizers.
Emergency services attended the fire following reports of an industrial incident involving the release of a small amount of gas from the facility.
The Ostwald reaction to make nitric acid from ammonia is a little more visible in Billingham today than it usually is… #NO2 pic.twitter.com/M6Ybceh48V
— Richard Ward (@Shakyshakes1980) May 24, 2024
It is understood that no one has been injured.
The police have now issued their latest statement about the incident, saying there is no wider risk to the public.
Theu said: “We want to reassure members of the public that there is no wider risk following the incident at the site of a fertilizer company in Haverton Hill.
“There was an industrial incident involving the release of a small amount of gas from this facility at lunchtime.
“There are no reports of injuries to anyone and there are no off-site implications or further risk to the public.”
Following the incident, CF Fertilizers has confirmed that an investigation is underway.
A spokesman said: “At approximately 12:20 pm today, there was an incident at one of the Billingham Complex’s nitric acid plants which resulted in the release of nitrous oxide.
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“The factory’s security system worked as designed and the factory was safely shut down, stopping the release within five minutes.
“The incident is over and there is no risk to the public.
“A full investigation into the incident will follow.”
