Residents evacuated after chemicals dumped in Sheffield pub car park

An investigation is under way after gallons of a “chemical solvent” were dumped onto a pub car park in a Yorkshire village, affecting nearby properties.
The Royal Oak in Mosborough.The Royal Oak in Mosborough.
The Royal Oak in Mosborough.

The Environment Agency has confirmed it is working with Sheffield Council and other organisations to investigate the incident at the Royal Oak pub in Mosborough on the outskirts of the city.

The EA said the pollutant “has not posed any risk to nearby watercourses or drinking water” following the incident on October 11. Sheffield Council said two nearby properties have been affected by the issue.

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The incident is believed to have taken place sometime after the pub closed at 10pm on October 10, probably in the early hours of the following morning.

Michael Wattam, who lives in a house affected by the chemical spillage with his wife, daughter and granddaughter, told The Sheffield Star that his family were advised to leave the property temporarily.He said his family have all undergone hospital tests.

“We are still feeling the effects of breathing in those chemicals for days and days before we were advised to move out on safety grounds,” he said.

“I dread to think what the long-term effects of this could be. Whoever did this must be stupid to not realise the implication of dumping these chemicals, not only to those who live near by but to the wider community if the water gets contaminated."

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Councillor Mark Jones, cabinet member for Environment, Streetscene and Climate Change at Sheffield City Council, said: “We are aware of a chemical spill in Mosborough in the car park of the Royal Oak Pub, which has affected two households. The pub and car park are now closed whilst we respond to this incident.

“The area that is affected is limited, and work is underway to arrange a clean-up of the spillage, whilst ensuring safety of residents and the public is protected as a priority. We are in contact with those who have been affected by this incident, and we are working closely with our partners to investigate how this happened.

“We are also working closely with Public Health England on this matter and we want to offer assurances to nearby residents that there is no current increased risk to health for those living nearby or travelling close to the area.

"However, if you notice a solvent smell, which may be sweet and/or similar to paint thinner in or around your property, please contact your Council immediately on 0114 2734567 for further assistance.”

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A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: "Police were called on 14 October following reports that controlled special waste had been deposited at a pub on High Street, Mosborough.

"It is understood persons unknown left two barrels containing a substance in the car park. The Environment Agency and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue carried out initial enquiries at the scene.

"A police investigation is ongoing into the circumstances and anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 18 of 14 October 2020."

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “The Environment Agency is investigating a pollution incident at a pub in Sheffield, in which a chemical solvent spilled onto the premises car park.

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“Our officers have been on site, assessing potential risks to the environment.

“It appears that the pollutant has not posed any risk to nearby watercourses or drinking water, however the grounds of some neighbouring properties have been affected.

“We are supporting Sheffield City Council and other partner organisations in responding to the incident and investigating the cause."

Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts said he had been contacted about the matter by a constituent a couple of weeks ago following a concern about the smell and had informed the authorities.

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“The constituent contacted me 10 days ago and we immediately passed it on the Environment Agency, the council and the police and asked them to investigate.”

Mr Betts said he had been told by South Yorkshire Police today that there is an active investigation under way.

“It still appears to be an isolated incident and the Environmental Agency, Public Health and local fire service have been working together to contain the leak which so far has not spread beyond the immediate area around the drain the chemicals were originally spilt down,” he said.

Details of what the chemical solvent specifically was have not been released by the Environment Agency.

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The pub is currently fenced off and has a ‘for sale’ sign outside.

A Facebook post by the pub on October 15 read: “With immediate effect, The Royal Oak is closing.

“We are unsure at this point how long this is for but due to a health and safety/chemical spill, it is unsafe to open at this point.”

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