Businesses evacuated after big chemical spill in Navan

A major clean-up was underway this week following a chemical spill at Kilsaran Lane, outside Navan, on Monday afternoon. Nearby business premises were evacuated following the spill, which occurred at around 3pm on Monday afternoon at a warehouse on the lane. Fire appliances from Navan rushed to the scene and sprayed foam on the area to contain the spill. According to Meath County Council spokesman Bill Sweeney, the chemical in question was a solution of hydrochloric acid. He said that the spill was contained by the local fire service and staff of the company involved. Specialists were then called in to clean up the site and Mr Sweeney said that standard precautions in relation to public safety were followed. Tom Manning of Cashguard Systems, which has a unit nearby, said they had been instructed to leave the factory at around 3.30pm. 'We could smell the fumes and some of the staff had started to cough and we were advised to evacuate,' he said. Hydrochloric acid is a corrosive substance which causes burns and is irritating to the respiratory system.