Buildings were evacuated and roads closed off in Cork City after an acid leak this morning.
Traffic diversions are also in place following the leak of hydrochloric acid from a container in the Gouldings Chemicals storage facility on Center Park Road on the south of the city.
“The leak started at approximately 10.00am and the cause is unknown at this stage,” a Garda spokesman said.
He said officers from Anglesea Street and units from the Fire Service were at the scene and all buildings on Center Park Road had been evacuated.
Monaghan Road, Kennedy Road and The Marina have all been closed to traffic indefinitely.
No injuries have been but traffic has been severely disrupted. Motorists and pedestrians have been asked to avoid the area.
Gouldings said in a statement that the leak was noticed by staff and the authorities were advised immediately.
"The tank is in a protected bunded area and any spillage is totally contained within that small area," the statement said.
"There are fumes from the spillage. Measures have been taken to neutralise the fumes. The fire brigade has sprayed foam on the spillage to assist this process. Gouldings expect that the spillage will be neutralised and the material rendered safe within a matter of hours."
