Mercury spillage in Ely forces schools into lockdown
Police have lifted a 75 meter cordon in Ely, southeast England, after emergency services cleared up a hazardous mercury spillage. Residents were advised to stay inside with windows and doors closed while the cordon was in place.
A 1/4 pint of mercury was spilled inside an antique shop on Downham Road, according to local news reports. The substance is poisonous and highly dangerous when inhaled.
Downham Road #Ely just reopened following mercury spillage earlier today! Story here: https://t.co/f276N8Vl7J
— Cambridge News (@CambridgeNewsUK) October 22, 2015Police placed a 75 meter cordon around the area, which remained in place for much of the afternoon.
Another view from @pjbassoc of Downham Rd #Ely. A 1/4 pint of mercury being cleaned up. Closures ufn #HeartNewspic.twitter.com/PQlxJ8Nqft
— Cambridgeshire News (@HeartCambsNews) October 22, 2015The cordon incorporated Downham Road, West Fen Road and Chapel Street, according to Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue. Residents were urged to avoid the area.
Schools in the area were lockdown while the incident was cleared up, with no children allowed in or out, according to Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Facebook page.
Chemical spillage in Ely - people advised to stay inside until further notice https://t.co/qehAQ7p6pS
— Cambs police (@CambsCops) October 22, 2015
Crews are currently at the scene of an incident at Downham Road in Ely involving a mercury spillage. Residents are asked to avoid the area
— Cambs Fire & Rescue (@cambsfrs) October 22, 2015
