FIREFIGHTERS wearing specialist suits were called in to deal with a chemical spill in Cardigan on Thursday afternoon (August 14).

The main road through the town was sealed off from 1.15pm as crews from Cardigan, Crymych and Pembroke Dock tackled the spill at Morgan Street.

Fire service personnel administered medical attention to the driver of the vehicle before he was transferred to the care of the ambulance service and taken to hospital as a precaution.

The type of chemical has not been revealed but fire crews cordoned off a 50-meter area surrounding the spillage and advised residents to keep windows and doors closed.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “The small quantity chemical spill originated from a leaking container, within a heavy goods vehicle.

“The fire service decontaminated the area by decanting the chemicals into an oversized drum, using a whale pump, and secured the damaged container by placing it into a second oversized drum.

“Other equipment used by the fire service at the incident included 11 breathing apparatus, eight liquid tight suits, three gas tight suits, three short extension ladders, two hose reel jets, a 70mm main jet, two environmental grab packs and a decontamination dam.”

Police, ambulance, the local authority and Welsh Water were also all called to the incident, with the road finally reopened in the early hours.