Investigation into fire at plant
A “full investigation” is being carried out following a chemical plant fire at INEOS Seal Sands, the company has confirmed.
A plume of smoke coming from a tank at the Billingham plant saw a large emergency response on Tuesday night.
Police closed a road at Seal Sands Roundabout and workers at other firms within the chemical complex were told to stay inside their buildings, according to eyewitness reports.
Fire crews from Billingham, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Guisborough and Grangetown rushed to the blaze at around 8pm, and Cleveland Fire Brigade warned the public to avoid the area.
The North East Ambulance Service confirmed there were no injuries following the incident.
Cleveland Fire Brigade left the scene just before 11.30pm, after finding the effects of the blaze to be non-toxic. A spokesperson for INEOS said work to clear the site has been halted for now – and a full investigation is being carried out.
“Following the closure of the Seal Sands site in Teesside in 2019, the facility is in the process of being dismantled,” they said.
“All chemicals have been removed from the site and the process of cutting vessels and pipelines for their safe removal continues.
“Last night a small fire contained inside a reboiler at the site was extinguished by the emergency services. There were no injuries.
“Work at the site has stopped and a full investigation is being carried out.
INEOS has also reported the incident to the Environment agency. INEOS thanks the emergency services for their support and apologises to the local community for any concern raised by the incident.”