The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Emergency services put Perth firm in lockdown during chemical scare.
Emergency: Police, Fire and Rescue and ambulance all called to the scene
A Perth dry cleaning firm was locked down by police after a chemical scare left three workers struggling for breath.
Emergency services were scrambled to Johnson Apparelmaster at Inveralmond Industrial Estate yesterday afternoon.
It followed reports that three members of staff had suffered breathing difficulties after cleaning chemicals were accidentally mixed together, creating potentially hazardous fumes.
Police threw a cordon around the business while fire crews in hazmat suits investigated.
All workers were kept inside the building as the three affected employees were checked over by paramedics.
Officers advised that there was no risk to the wider public, but warned people to stay away from the area.
Police Inspector Gordon Fotheringham said: “This was a multiagency response involving police, the fire service and ambulance staff.
“A cordon was placed around the business as a precaution, first and foremost.
“There were three members of staff who were affected by fumes and said they had difficulty breathing.
“They were checked over at the workplace and found to be healthy, but were told to report to medical services if they started to feel ill later on.
“All staff were discharged once the area was declared safe by the fire service. No one had to go to hospital.”
A spokesman for Johnson Apparelmaster confirmed the emergency services were alerted after two chemicals were accidentally mixed together.
“All staff are absolutely fine,” he said. “The police response was simply as a precaution.
“We will be carrying out our own internal investigation to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
The alarm was raised just before 1pm and the cordon was lifted just over three hours later.
Police officers were posted at all entrances to the factory and footpaths were closed off with tape.
Staff at neighbouring businesses were given limited access to their workplaces during the lock-down.
One local said: “Within minutes, the whole place was full of blue flashing lights and police officers. It looked a lot more serious than it was.”
All staff were discharged once the area was declared safe by the fire service. No one had to go to hospital. INSPECTOR GORDON FOTHERINGHAM