Major emergency response at Montrose docks after 9 people fall ill

by · The Courier

Multiple emergency services were called to Montrose docks after nine people fell unwell on Wednesday.

Police, firefighters in hazmat suits and specialist ambulance crews attended Rix Shipping on Meridian Street due to an incident involving potentially hazardous materials.

The alarm was raised at around 10am with emergency responders on the scene until around 2pm.

An investigation into the cause is under way.

However, Rix says the incident did not involve a leak of any chemicals.

Specialist emergency responders were called. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson
Emergency services at the scene. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson

One witness said: “There has been a huge emergency response in the area since around 10am.

“There have been sirens all morning with several police vehicles and fire engines involved.

“There are fire officers in hazmat suits at the incident but there has been no information about what is going on.

“However, it looks really serious.”

‘You can smell something in the area’

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “It was just after 10am when I noticed something was happening towards the docks.

“At first we thought it was maybe a gas leak but no one has been around to tell us anything.

“There can’t be a wider threat or else they’d have said something.”

Firefighters donned hazmat suits. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson
Roads were closed. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson
Fire crews spent several hours at the scene. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson

Another resident told The Courier: “I was down at the docks this morning when it all kicked off.

“Three fire engines descended on the area and we were told to leave.

“My friend who lives nearby said he spotted someone being hosed off.

“Nobody is too sure what’s happened but you can definitely smell something in the area.”

Nine casualties treated by paramedics after Montrose hazmat incident

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 10.07am on Wednesday to an incident in a building on Meridan Street, Montrose, involving potentially hazardous materials.

“At its height, operations control mobilised three fire appliances and specialist hazmat resources to the scene.

“Nine casualties were handed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service and did not require hospital treatment.

“Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”

Three fire engines were called to the incident. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson
Emergency services in white suits. Image: Andrew Robson/DC Thomson

A spokesperson for Rix Shipping (Scotland) Ltd said: “We are aware of an incident that occurred on Wednesday at Ferry Road, Montrose, and we are currently investigating what took place.

“We are unable to comment further at this time.”

Police confirmed there was no risk to the wider public.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 09:56 to attend an incident on Meridian Street,  Montrose.

“An ambulance, a resuscitation rapid response unit (3RU) and four specialist operations response teams (SORT) were dispatched, and nine patients were treated on scene.”