Residents return after chemical scare
Residents of a Llanelli care home and neighbouring houses have returned home following investigations over a suspected chemical leak last night (Wednesday, March 16).
Fire crews, police and environmental health officials evacuated homes in the Felinfoel Road area of Llanelli following reports of a strong chemical odour.
Staff at the independently-run Caeffair nursing home first reported the smell at around 6pm, and the evacuation was based on the response of fire crews who attended the scene.
Following extensive investigations, the response was downgraded at 10.30pm and neighbouring residents were allowed to return home shortly after, although all 33 residents and staff of Caeffair were accommodated overnight in local authority care homes.
The conclusion reached by the council’s investigating officers was that someone may have tipped a small amount of paint thinners, paraffin, diesel fuel or heating oil into the local drainage system, which had vented through the drainage system of the care home causing the odour.
Philip Davies, the council’s Head of Public Protection, said: “The evacuation was based on information from fire crews.
“A light hydrocarbon spirit odour was detected near a public house a short distance away, but this was not petroleum based, methane or gas. The hydrocarbon odour was also detected further along the drainage system, but it was just barely detectable.
“Sewage pumping stations and the sewage treatment plant at Bynea were checked for evidence of odour and sheen, but nothing was noted.
“The response was downgraded at 10.30pm, although residents of the care home were accommodated elsewhere overnight. The room at the care home most affected by the odour was sealed last night and further examination at 8am this morning revealed no odours.
“The Fire and Police authorities were informed and the operation was then closed.”
Residents and staff moved back in to Caeffair this morning.
Director of social care, health and housing, Bruce McLernon, said: “The Local Authority Emergency Planning arrangements were activated and staff from Social Care Health and Housing arranged for residents from Caeffair to be moved and accommodated in local authority care homes overnight.”
Group Manager Roger Thomas from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service added: “Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service worked with other emergency services and agencies to effectively manage this situation.
“The primary role of fire fighters was to assist with the evacuation of residents from Caeffair nursing home and the Thomas Arms Hotel, and to safely bring this incident to a satisfactory conclusion.”
Fire crews, police and environmental health officials evacuated homes in the Felinfoel Road area of Llanelli following reports of a strong chemical odour.
Staff at the independently-run Caeffair nursing home first reported the smell at around 6pm, and the evacuation was based on the response of fire crews who attended the scene.
Following extensive investigations, the response was downgraded at 10.30pm and neighbouring residents were allowed to return home shortly after, although all 33 residents and staff of Caeffair were accommodated overnight in local authority care homes.
The conclusion reached by the council’s investigating officers was that someone may have tipped a small amount of paint thinners, paraffin, diesel fuel or heating oil into the local drainage system, which had vented through the drainage system of the care home causing the odour.
Philip Davies, the council’s Head of Public Protection, said: “The evacuation was based on information from fire crews.
“A light hydrocarbon spirit odour was detected near a public house a short distance away, but this was not petroleum based, methane or gas. The hydrocarbon odour was also detected further along the drainage system, but it was just barely detectable.
“Sewage pumping stations and the sewage treatment plant at Bynea were checked for evidence of odour and sheen, but nothing was noted.
“The response was downgraded at 10.30pm, although residents of the care home were accommodated elsewhere overnight. The room at the care home most affected by the odour was sealed last night and further examination at 8am this morning revealed no odours.
“The Fire and Police authorities were informed and the operation was then closed.”
Residents and staff moved back in to Caeffair this morning.
Director of social care, health and housing, Bruce McLernon, said: “The Local Authority Emergency Planning arrangements were activated and staff from Social Care Health and Housing arranged for residents from Caeffair to be moved and accommodated in local authority care homes overnight.”
Group Manager Roger Thomas from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service added: “Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service worked with other emergency services and agencies to effectively manage this situation.
“The primary role of fire fighters was to assist with the evacuation of residents from Caeffair nursing home and the Thomas Arms Hotel, and to safely bring this incident to a satisfactory conclusion.”
Comments