Eight workers hospitalised after ‘breathing in fumes’ sparking huge emergency response with critical incident declared

EIGHT workers have been hospitalised after reportedly breathing in fumes – sparking a huge emergency response with a critical incident declared.

A convoy of ambulances raced to reports of people inhaling fumes at a bleach and disinfectant factory in Thetford, Norfolk this morning.

Paramedics assessed 20 people on an industrial estate and took seven women and one man to hospital.

Witnesses said the scenes happened at Easy Cleaning Solutions, which makes chemical cleaning products like bleach.

The firm has both its HQ and factory at the large site where it employs more than 200 people.

In 2019, the factory was evacuated after a chemical blaze broke out – with dozens of firefighters scrambled.

Easy Cleaning has been contacted for comment.

East of England Ambulance Service said: “We sent four ambulances, four paramedic cars and three hazardous area response team vehicles to a commercial address in Thetford this morning following reports of people feeling unwell after inhaling fumes.

“We were assisted by our Norfolk Fire colleagues. 20 people were assessed at the scene.

“Eight people were transported to West Suffolk Hospital for further care.”

Norfolk Police said: “We were called at 8.35am today to assist ambulance crews at a commercial premises on Brunel Way, Thetford, following reports of people feeling unwell after inhaling fumes.

“Eight people were taken to hospital for further treatment.”