AN INQUIRY was demanded today after residents were woken by a late night chemical leak from a nearby factory.

Residents complained of sore throats and stinging eyes after the discharge of caustic soda and ammonium nitrate from Nipa Laboratories in Oswaldtwistle

The company today apologised to worried residents but local councillors called for urgent talks with bosses followed by a public meeting to address people's fears, claiming there had been four releases in the last six months.

Police were alerted just after 11pm by residents who claimed they saw a cloud of gas over the Nook Lane factory.

Householders in the Little Moor End and Stanhill areas of Oswaldtwistle were warned to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed during the incident.

A concerned couple who live in Thwaites Road drove out of the area with their five-year-old daughter, who suffers from asthma. The mother, who did not want to be named, said: "When we were in the drive the smell was so strong it hit the back of your throat."

Eight fire crews from Oswaldtwistle, Accrington and Blackburn attended along with police and ambulance.

A police spokeswoman said: "Evacuation of the immediate area was considered but it was thought not to be necessary.

"It was apparent that the chemicals were caustic soda and ammonium nitrate, which would only cause minor irritation."

The emergency services left the scene about 2am.

Nipa Laboratories was today delivering letters of apology to homes and has promised a review of its safety procedures to ensure nothing similar happens again. The company blamed the incident on an overheated gas scrubber. It called for help when the scrubber began to heat up, allowing steam and some acidic gases to escape.

The firm said cooling water used by the fire brigade caused large amounts of steam but there was no danger of any acidic gases escaping into the air. Site director Armas Best said: "The steam was being dispersed even before it passed the factory fence."

Nipa employs more than 70 people at the 10-acre Oswaldtwistle site on the manufacture of fine chemicals including antiseptics and disinfectants.

A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: "We will be going in to start our investigations today."

Oswaldtwistle councillor Peter Britcliffe called for a full and immediate inquiry into the leak.

He said: "The plant should be closed until it is given clearance by the Health and Safety Executive to resume work."

Coun Britcliffe, who suffered a sore throat and stinging eyes, said: "It was a very frightening situation to wake up to.

"It also causes me concern that I understand the alarm was first raised at 10.15pm, yet it was 12.30am before residents of Margaret Street were told to shut their doors and windows."

Coun Sheelagh Delaney called for a meeting between the Environment Agency, Nipa and the borough council, followed by a public meeting so local residents can ask questions directly.

She said: "We need to find out exactly what is happening there. It's the fourth release in the last six months.

"It's not fair for people to have to live with this. The Environment Agency and Nipa have a responsibility to tell the public what's going on."

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