Firefighters tackle gas leak at plant

A CHEMICAL incident team was called to a gas leak at an air conditioning plant.

The leak, at Mitsubishi Air Conditioning Systems in Nettlehill Road, Livingston, occurred while a unit was undergoing final inspections at around 2.30am. Twenty staff were evacuated. Fire crews wearing gas-tight suits ventilated the plant.

Mitsubishi general affairs manager Iain Riddle said: "It was an inert refrigeration gas found in household air con units and is not dangerous."

A fire spokesman said the gas can be toxic but not in the volume released.

n Fire crews were also in action at a blaze in a derelict social club in Newtongrange Eight appliances spent three hours fighting a fire at the former Morris Club, on Morris Road, from around 12.40am.