Chemical gas cloud at Minehead Sewage Treatment site

More than 40 firefighters, including officers wearing protective chemical suits, spent yesterday afternoon dealing with a major incident at Minehead Sewage Treatment works.

Nearby residents were told to stay inside, and keep their windows and doors shut, as a large smoke plume rose above the site. It isn't clear whether the gas cloud was toxic.

The cloud appeared when a lorry unloading chemicals caused a reaction. Eight fire engines were called to the incident.

The site of the incident is a short distance from Butlin's in Minehead, where residents were told to stay indoors. West Somerset Railway also had to stop running trains.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service said: