Agency investigates acid spill

An inquiry is under way into the spill near Carmarthen

The Environment Agency has confirmed a number of fish were killed in an acid spill in south west Wales which led to three people being treated in hospital.

The agency says chemicals reached a stream at Nantyci near Traveller's Rest, Carmarthen but is still trying to establish exactly how many fish were affected.

The spillage happened along a country lane

Some residents were overcome by fumes when 200 litres of toxic propionic and formic acid spilled as contractors were removing waste drums from an animal feed mill.

The agency has taken chemical and biological samples but says it is too soon in the investigation to decide whether any prosecutions will follow.

A spokesman for the agency said: "There was ecological damage done to the hedges along the road.

"We will be working with contractors engaged by a company associated with the incident to continue the clean-up operation."

Carmarthenshire council said local people - who were affected by fumes while they were in their gardens - were taken to the West Wales General Hospital in Carmarthen.

All have been released and are believed to have no long term ill-effects.

Police and the fire brigade had also been called to the scene.

Warning

Council workers removed contaminated gravel from the road and used special absorbent material was used to remove any liquid along a half-mile stretch.

The local authority has issued a warning to the public about the dangers of storing and transporting waste chemicals.

Carmarthenshire's head of public protection Philip Davies said: "This was a serious incident, which may have gone unreported for at least two days until local residents were affected.

"It serves to show how dangerous waste chemicals can be, unless they are contained, removed and transported carefully and safely."