Firefighters called out to hazmat incident in Overton

Crews were called yesterday evening following a chemical reaction within a large container at a paper mill in Overton.

The 1000-litre tank had expanded due to the chemicals inside.

Overton, Whitchurch and Basingstoke firefighters along with specialist vehicles from Andover and Romsey, and a Hazmat officer, were called to the scene at 21:17 last night.

In consultation with national chemical experts, crews worked to protect the environment, ensuring there was no spillage, and that the temperature was monitored using a thermal imaging camera.

Stockbridge, Rushmoor, Winchester and Fleet firefighters attended to take over the incident, allowing the crews who arrived first and had been on scene for a number of hours, to return to station.

Overnight crews worked to cool the tank down to a safe temperature, before the incident was handed back to on-site teams.

Firefighters left the scene at 08:45 this morning.