DOZENS of people were treated by paramedics after a chemical incident at Tiptree jam factory.
A chemical reaction is believed to have occurred with some cleaning fluids in the jarring room of Wilkin and Sons’ jam factory, the section of the factory where the jam is put into pots.
Chlorine gas filled the room causing breathing problems for the staff inside.
Ambulance crews were sent to the scene at about 2.40pm yesterday, and they called the fire brigade, which launched a chemical incident response.
In total 163 people, the entire workforce, were evacuated.
Paramedics treated 36 people at the scene, with an additional 12 taken by ambulance to Colchester General Hospital for further treatment.
Police and firefighters cordoned off sections of Church Road, Factory Hill and Chapel Road while the incident was dealt with, causing traffic problems in and around the town.
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