TWO people are in a stable condition in hospital following a suspected ammonia leak at a fish factory in Co Down.
Ambulance and fire crews were called to Young's and Rooney's seafood processing factories in Kilkeel.
Both the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Southern Health and Social Care Trust declared a major incident when the alarm was raised shortly after 12.30pm. The Ambulance Service's major incident ended at around 4pm while the trust's finished around an hour later.
The trust said Daisy Hill Hospital's emergency department had dealt with 14 people, two of whom had been admitted and were in a "stable condition".
Eight ambulances were sent to the scene along with the air ambulance.
Other people were assessed at the scene.
We have implemented our Major Incident Plan following a suspected chemical incident in Kilkeel. We are expecting 14patients to Daisy Hill Hospital for assessment. The hospital is busy & we would ask the public to only come to ED if they have an urgent life threatening condition
— Southern Trust (@SouthernHSCT) July 16, 2018
A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said: "The cause of the leak had been isolated prior to the arrival of Fire Crews.
"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus surveyed the site with gas monitors to check for the presence of ammonia gas - all readings were zero.
"Firefighters gave oxygen therapy to two casualties prior to the arrival of Ambulance crews. Fire Crews from Kilkeel, Newcastle and Warrenpoint Fire Stations remain at the scene.
"Daisy Hill Hospital requested NIFRS to stand by to provide support in receiving casualties if required. At this stage no action has been required.
"There is no risk to the public from this gas leak."
Sinn Féin councillor Sean Doran said he understood the leak had spread to two factories - Young's and Rooney's fish processing.
"I heard people were doing maintenance work in Young's factory and there was an ammonia leak that spread," he said.
"Ambulances and the air ambulance were there. People have been taken to hospital because of the gas. I don't know if that's just as a precaution. Hopefull everyone is okay."
