Chemical blaze hospitalises firefighters
Commercial insurance
6th November 2008
A chemical blaze in Haydock on Merseyside resulted in ten firefighters being taken to hospital.
It is believed that the fire started when youngsters set fire to some barrels containing harmful chemicals, reports St Helens Today.
The incident highlights the dangers posed by arsonists to businesses dealing with such substances.
Watch manager George Jennings said the fire could easily have turned into a major incident.
He said: "We had crews on the blaze throughout the night because of the nature of the fire - it can re-ignite easily.
"This meant we had to have relief crews coming over. Resources were stretched because of these arsonists."
A group of firefighters also had a lucky escape in Hampshire after they were attacked with a fire bomb by youths, reports This is Hampshire.
The firefighters were left shaken but unharmed, said a spokesperson for Hampshire Fire and Rescue.
