200 Evacuated After Chemical Leak at Coca-Cola Factory
A chemical scare forced 200 workers to flee a Coca-Cola factory in Sidcup, Kent, last night. A hydrochloric acid leak triggered the emergency evacuation at the site on Cray Road before firefighters even arrived.
Hydrochloric Acid Leak Sparks Plant Evacuation
The pungent, corrosive acid, which can cause severe burns and blindness on contact, was quickly contained by the London Fire Brigade. The leak was shut down by 11:30 p.m., with firefighters spending the night on-site testing air quality.
We were called to a hydrochloric acid leak at 8:39 p.m. on Wednesday,” said a London Fire Brigade spokesperson. “The factory had been evacuated of two hundred people before we arrived. We used chemical equipment to test chemical levels and worked to disperse the leak. The incident concluded with no injuries.”
Coca-Cola Sidcup Factory Back in Action
The Sidcup plant, which employs around 270 staff and produces over 500,000 drinks an hour, is one of six Coca-Cola factories in the UK. It handles everything from cans and bottles to Capri Sun pouches.
A Coca-Cola Europacific Partners spokesperson confirmed: “Our production site at Sidcup was temporarily evacuated last night as a precautionary measure. There was no danger to any of our colleagues, and the problem has been resolved.”
The acid involved is used in the site’s sanitation process. Firefighters wearing chemical suits were seen entering the boiler room block as part of the response.
Health and Safety Investigations Underway
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has acknowledged the incident and is carrying out preliminary inquiries.
Coca-Cola added: “We thank emergency services for their swift response and apologise to local residents for any inconvenience caused overnight.”
