Full-scale chemical alert in village (From Stroud News and Journal)

Full-scale chemical alert in village

A GAME in the woods resulted in a full scale chemical alert in Painswick on Sunday.

Two youngsters who had been making a den on the Beacon ran home screaming with what looked like a reaction to a chemical spill.

Seven fire engines immediately arrived on the scene in Pullins Road, the home of eight-year-old Zebedy Rhodes who had been in the woods with Bran Chambers, also eight.

"Zeb's eyes were running and were very, very sore and inflamed and his friend's nose and eyes were really sore too," said Zeb's father John.

"They were crying and screaming - we thought they'd come across some chemicals up there.

"It was a bit of a shock really.

"We questioned them to make sure they weren't making it up and they were clearly upset- I think they were entirely genuine."

Mr Rhodes called an ambulance and paramedics informed the fire and rescue service which deals with chemical spills.

A total of seven fire engines including a pollution control vehicle and an ambulance were on the scene within minutes.

"They were very quick, I was really impressed," said Mr Rhodes.

"Seven fire engines must be a record for Painswick - you don't get that many if your house burns down."

And he added: "They were brilliant - it was a false alarm but if

*For full story see this week's SNJ