The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency have launched a joint investigation into an incident which took place during the early hours of 1 June at the Billingham based Terra Nitrogen (UK) Limited site, which was previously owned by ICI. Cleveland Fire and Rescue declared a major emergency after a fire started on a pipe involving mixed gases including nitrogen, hydrogen and ammonia. Two workers were treated for shock but the public were never in any danger. Restrictions were in place for 2 hours and the roads around the 400 acre site were closed to traffic. However the situation was quickly brought under control due to the expertise and training of the emergency services.
The plant has been safely shut down and the investigation is underway, but it is too early to say when the root causes of the incident will be known.
