Volunteers offer support after Leominster blaze

St John Ambulance volunteers have been called in to assist at a rest centre set up for evacuees, following a chemical factory fire in Leominster, West Midlands.

Up to 90 firefighters were tackling the blaze at Skymark in Southern Avenue, Leominster, Herefordshire. The plant contained gas cylinders which were potentially hazardous. No casualties have been reported but hundreds were evacuated to a nearby sports centre.

Nine first aiders are checking over evacuees as a precaution and St John Ambulance has two emergency response vehicles on standby in case people need taking to hospital. The volunteers were called in from 4am and have given up their own time to assist with this emergency.

Paul Bytheway, Commissioner Operations for St John Ambulance in the West Midlands, said: ‘In the haste of being evacuated, a number of people have left their homes without bringing their usual medication with them so we’re currently treating some, especially the elderly, for pre-existing medical conditions.

‘People arriving at the rest centre are being monitored in case they show symptoms associated with the fire but mostly we are simply giving support, meeting any first aid needs which arise and offering TLC - it's been quite a shock for them, and our volunteers are doing a great job.’