Major Emergency Response in Loughborough Town Centre After Hazardous Substance Report
A significant section of Loughborough's town centre was abruptly closed off on Wednesday afternoon following a report of a potentially hazardous substance discovered inside a business premises. The incident prompted a large-scale multi-agency emergency response, involving police, fire crews, and ambulance services.
Swift Action and Precautionary Measures
The alarm was raised shortly after 1pm on February 11, with emergency services swiftly descending upon Baxter Gate. As a precautionary measure, the property where the substance was found, along with several nearby businesses, was immediately evacuated to ensure public safety.
Road closures were implemented, and a cordon was established around the area while a specialist team from Leicestershire Police, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS), and the East Midlands Ambulance Service conducted a thorough investigation. Authorities urged members of the public to avoid the vicinity entirely and warned motorists to anticipate significant delays.
A spokesperson for the emergency services stated at the time, "We are currently attending an ongoing incident on Baxter Gate in Loughborough. Members of the public should avoid the area, and motorists should expect delays."
Substance Identified as Harmless Salt
Following initial on-site testing, the situation was dramatically de-escalated. Leicestershire Police confirmed that the suspected hazardous material was, in fact, believed to be common salt and posed no danger to the public.
In an updated statement, a police spokesperson clarified, "Following initial testing, we can confirm that a substance found inside business premises in Baxter Gate is not believed to be hazardous. Further tests will be undertaken in due course, but the substance is believed to be salt and the call was made with good intent."
Consequently, all cordons and road closures were lifted. The police expressed gratitude for the public's cooperation and understanding during the incident, emphasising that the initial report was made with legitimate concern for community safety.
Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported at any stage of the incident. The swift resolution allowed normal business and traffic flow to resume in the town centre, bringing a rapid end to what was initially treated as a serious chemical hazard alert.
