Glastry College: Co Down school ‘deemed safe’ following chemical spill

A Co Down school evacuated following a chemical spillage has been “deemed safe”.

Emergency services attended the scene at Glastry College in Ballyhalbert on Thursday with parents urged to collect their children.

Three fire appliances attended the scene amid reports that ammonia had been spilt shortly before noon.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building and the substance was contained and removed, with the incident dealt with by 1.22pm.

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The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the building was ventilated and gas readings were normal.

In a message to parents and carers, the school had said: “Due to a chemical spillage, as a precaution we are asking parents to collect pupils from school.

“Pupils who cannot be collected will be supervised in our college canteen, which has been deemed a safe area.”

The school later posted on social media that the “school building has been deemed safe” by the NIFRS.

“Having followed Education Authority procedures regarding the chemical spillage, we are pleased to advise the school building has been deemed safe by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service,” the statement said.

“As mentioned previously, all pupils were evacuated from the school building as a precautionary measure.

“We would like to thank everyone for their prompt response and support in ensuring the safety of our pupils today.”