Two treated at factory after chemical spill

DunDee: Accident involving ammonia at cold store on Gourdie Industrial Estate

An ammonia spillage at a Dundee industrial estate caused major tailbacks yesterday and left two people requiring treatment for sore eyes and throats.

The incident occurred at Dundee Cold Stores in Whittle Place at Gourdie Industrial Estate at 1.40pm.

It is understood a member of staff at the firm, which freezes fresh produce, isolated the leak before calling the emergency services.

Police closed Liff and Myrekirk roads following the leak of ammonia, which led to a heavy build up of traffic on the Kingsway.

The Scottish Ambulance Service treated two people who were complaining of irritated eyes and throats but police said there were no serious injuries.

Firefighters used water to get rid of the hazardous substance.

Six fire teams from Macalpine Road, Blackness Road and Balmossie were called to the scene.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said: “Police asked us to attend. We had four pumps and two supplies. It was a chemical spill.”

Emergency services left the scene shortly after 3pm and the roads were reopened.

It is the second ammonia leak at the factory in two years.

In 2015, a cut gas pipe sparked an ammonia scare and caused the factory to be evacuated.

One person was treated at the scene after inhaling fumes but was not seriously injured.

Dundee Cold Stores declined to comment.

The company is a joint venture between two of Scotland’s leading pea and bean growing companies Bruce Farms and East Coast Viners

Purchased in 2007, the 8.5-acre site has a long history of food processing dating back over 50 years.

In peak harvest season, the facility operates 24 hours a day processing in excess of 25,000 tonnes of peas and beans – one sixth of the UK’s total output.

The company employs 25 permanent staff and 130 seasonal workers.

Picture: Gareth Jennings. Emergency services were called to the scene yesterday afternoon after a member of staff isolated the leak.