Probe after chemical spill at Western

A PROBE has been launched into a chemical spill at the Western General Hospital which saw staff forced to flee and a department sealed off.

Two members of staff were checked by paramedics following the leak of around ten litres of potentially lethal formaldehyde at the pathology unit at 2.50pm but found to be unharmed.

More than 30 firefighters - some wearing gas-tight suits and breathing kits - were called to the scene.

Jackie Sansbury, chief operating officer at NHS Lothian, described it as a "minor leak".